I 


THE  UNIVERSITY  OF 

NORTH  CAROLINA 

LIBRARY 


THE  WILMER  COLLECTION 

OF  CIVIL  WAR  NOVELS 

PRESENTED  BY 

RICHARD  H.  WILMER,  JR. 


THE 


American  Cardinal. 


A  NOVEL. 


NEW  YORK. 
Dodd  &  Mead,  No.  762  Broadway. 

1871 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1S71,  by 

DODD  &  MEAD, 

In  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington,  D.  C. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

PAGB 

A  Sunset  Meeting,       .        .        .        .        .        .13 

CHAPTER  II. 
Commencement, 21 

CHAPTER  III. 
The  Parting, 29 

CHAPTER  IV. 
The  Life  Test, 35 

CHAPTER  V. 
The  Perversion, 45 

CHAPTER  VI. 
Willow-Shade, 53 


vn 


602701 


VU1  THE   AMERICAN   CARDINAL. 

CHAPTER  VII. 
Sea-Side, qq 

CHAPTER  VIII. 
The  Dispensation, 67 

CHAPTER  IX. 
The  Capitol, §0 

CHAPTER  X. 
A  Jesuit, 87 

CHAPTER  XI. 
The  Magnolia  Ball-Room,         ....      97 

CHAPTER  XII. 
The  Spy, 110 

CHAPTER  XIII. 
Woman's  Sphere, 120 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

A  Fighting  Parson,     .  .        .        m        .126 

CHAPTER  XV. 
A  Battle-Field, 133 


CONTENTS.  IX 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

PAGE 

An  Execution, 143 

CHAPTER  XVII. 
A~  Mountain  Convent, 152 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 
Imprisonment, 162 

CHAPTER  XIX. 
Remorse, ,  169 

CHAPTER  XX. 
Jim  and  Joibo, 173 

CHAPTER  XXI. 
Fever  Feenzy, 179 

CHAPTER  XXII. 
Love  on  the  Wave, 187 

CHAPTER  XXIII. 
A.  Bishop  Foiled, 198 

CHAPTER  XXIV. 
An  Ocean  Victory, 205 


X  THE   AMERICAN   CARDINAL. 

CHAPTER  XXV. 


PAGE 


Agony, .213 

CHAPTER  XXVI. 
The  Seizure, 217 

CHAPTER  XXVII. 
The  Stratagem, 226 

CHAPTER  XXVIII. 
The  Result, 231 

CHAPTER  XXIX. 
Joy  and  Sorrow, 241 

CHAPTER  XXX. 
Rome, 246 

CHAPTER  XXXI. 
Inexorable,.         .......    252 

CHAPTER  XXXII. 

Americanisms  in  a  Roman  Palace,  .        .        .261 

CHAPTER  X:XXJII. 
Jumbo  in  the  Vatican, 271 


CONTENTS.  Xi 

CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

PAGB 

Light    from    St.    Peter's    Release    from    a 

Promise, 277 

CHAPTER  XXXV. 

PlO   XONO    KIND   BUT   UNYIELDING,  .  .  .       282 

CHAPTER  XXXVI. 

Restored  in  the  Catacombs,      .        .        .        .288 

CHAPTER  XXXVII. 
The  Alps! 296 

CHAPTER  XXXVIII. 
Mountain  Liberty, 300 

CHAPTER  XXXIX. 

Love  triumphant  oyer  Death  and  the  Pope,    307 

CHAPTER  XL. 
An  Evening  Scene, 312 


THE 


AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 


CHAPTER  I. 


A   SUNSET    MEETING. 


The  sun  was  just  disappearing  as  two  young  men  stood 
on  the  bank  of  a  stream  rippling  beneath  a  hill,  which 
was  darkened  by  trees,  and  crowned  with  a  village. 
Day's  last  glory  was  pouring  itself  in  a  flood  of  gold 
through  a  thin  cloud,  and  mirroring  its  splendors  in  the 
tranquil  waters.  The  white  cottages  behind  the  wood 
shone  brightly,  and  each  cheap  window  dazzled  in  a 
flame  gorgeous  as  if  it  looked  from  a  palace.  Above, 
could  be  seen  through  the  foliage,  the  stone  turrets  of  a 
collegiate  building,  and  towering  from  its  centre  a  lofty 
spire,  whose  cross,  as  it  caught  the  upward  rays  of  the 
sinking  sun,  gleamed  like  fire.  The  youth  had  plainly 
the  air  and  attire  of  students,  and  were  engaged  in  the 
most  earnest  conversation.  They  appeared  of  nearly 
equal  age — the  full  whisker  of  the  one,  and  the  dark 
moustache  of  the  other,  giving  decided  tokens  that  each 
had  attained  his  manhood.  At  the  moment  our  story 
commences,  Edward  Ellingwood  was  the  speaker.  He 
2  13 

508540 


14  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

was  of  middle  height,  with  broad  shoulders,  and  muscular 
but  finely  shaped  limbs.  If  his  full  blue  eye  when 
unexcited,  impressed  you  simply  with  the  benevolence 
lurking  in  its  depths,  any  suspicion  of  weakness  was 
corrected  by  the  firm  jaw,  and  the  compressed  lips, 
disclosing,  when  opened,  teeth  unusually  regular  and 
splendid.  Just  as  you  conclude  that  the  chiseled  nose  is 
too  beautiful  for  manliness,  your  eye  fixes  itself  on  a 
noble  forehead,  shaded  with  dark  curls,  but  indicating 
thought,  and  command.  Hand,  foot,  tone,  manner, 
expression,  denote  descent  from  some  distinguished,  and 
cultivated  family,  living,  as  you  soon  decide,  in  a  northern 
State.  The  tall,  slender,  graceful  form  of  his  companion 
— the  dark  eye,  the  full  mouth,  the  musical  voice,  the 
peculiar  intonation,  the  languor,  habitual,  but  now  excited 
into  suppressed  but  fiery  earnestness,  just  as  clearly 
afford  proof  of  high  Southern  blood.  The  two  young 
gentlemen,  although  so  different  in  both  education,  and 
temperament,  were  yet  linked  together  in  a  true  friendship 
resulting  from  mutual  and  instinctive  esteem,  and 
admiration.  Through  four  years  of  Freshman  verdancy, 
Sophomoric  wildness,  Junior  aspiration,  and  Senior  dignity, 
in  frolic,  study,  and  recitation,  by  day,  and  night,  during 
term,  and  vacation,  they  had  been  inseparable.  Xow, 
just  on  the  eve  of  a  long  farewell,  a  cloud  seems  rising, 
and  a  storm  gathering,  to  darken,  possibly  destroy  their 
strong  attachment.  Ellingwood  stands  with  one  foot 
resting  on  a  mossy  I02;.  His  hands,  when  we  first  notice 
him,  are  folded  on  his  breast,  but  they  are  soon  moving  in 
eager  gesticulation.  His  face  is  flushed  partly  with 
excitement,  and  partly  with  the  reflection  of  the  cloud 
whose  gold  is  changed  to  gorgeous  crimson,  so  that  the 
skv  seems  stained  with  its  brilliant  colors.     Austin  has  his 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  15 

back  toward  the  west,  and  his  countenance  is  therefore 
shaded  from  the  splendors  burning  behind.  He  is  also  on 
lower  ground,  but  drawn  up  to  his  full  height  appears  on 
a  level  with  his  shorter  friend.  Every  feature  of  his 
countenance  is  glowing  like  the  fires  of  Southern  skies. 

"Charles  Austin,"  said  Ellingwood,  gazing  steadily  into 
the  face  of  his  companion  and  uttering  his  words  in  a 
subdued,  but  excited  tone,  "Charles  Austin,  it  cannot  be 
possible  your  people  are  so  given  over  to  madness. 
Why,  my  dear  fellow,  the  movements  you  describe,  mean 
war,  mean  blood,  mean  ruin." 

"  Ned,"  was  the  reply,  "  you  will  never  comprehend  us. 
Your  conservative,  and  judicial,  and  judicious  father, 
educated  you  in  the  antiquated  lore  of  Kent,  and  Story, 
and  Webster,  and  taught  you  to  believe  this  Union 
eternal,  and  the  stars  of  our  flag  really  like  the  enduring 
worlds  they  represent  in  the  heavens.  Ha!  ha!  ha!  the 
decisions  of  our  own  Southern  Marshal  are  now  with  us 
as  musty  and  rusty  as  the  black  letter  of  Coke.  We  have 
learned  different  lessons  from  our  orators  and  statesmen." 

"But,  my  dear  Charley,  will  you  sweep  away  the 
work  of  the  Revolution,  appropriate  the  national  property, 
and  strike  down  the  national  banner,  turn  the  sword 
against  your  countrymen,  and  make  our  Republic,  now 
united,  and  feared,  and  respected  over  the  world,  a  mere 
collection  of  petty  and  warring  principalities?" 

"Ah!  Ellingwood,  that  is  the  old  strain  we  have 
been  accustomed  to  hear  from  Professor  Drilip,  when  he 
gets  on  the  subject  of  the  articles  of  Confederation,  and 
the  constitutional  conventions,  concluding  with  his  cus- 
tomary eulogy  on  our  perpetual  stars,  and  the  everlasting 
Eagle!" 

"  Austin,"    interposed     Ellingwood     excitedly,    "  you 


16  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

amaze  and  confound  me.  How  is  it  possible  that  during 
the  four  years  of  our  intimacy  I  have  never  discovered 
such  opinions?" 

"Because,  dear  Edward,"  responded  his  friend  with  a 
mellow  tenderness  in  his  tone,  "our  affection  was  too 
deep,  £.nd  true,  for  me  to  permit  a  ripple  on  its  clear  sur- 
face. But  before  we  part  candor  compels  this  disclosure. 
If  any  men  from  North  and  South  could  harmonize  in 
sentiment  and  action  it  would  be  you,  and  I.  Yet  after 
all  you  perceive  a  radical  difference,  great  as  that  between 
the  bloom  of  the  orange,  and  the  blossom  of  the  apple, 
between  the  pine  of  Maine,  and  the  magnolia  of  Georgia, 
between  Connecticut  rocks  and  snows,  and  Carolina 
swamps  and  suns.  We  expect  to  make  cotton  and  slavery 
the  foundations  of  an  empire,  noble  as  our  blood,  rich  as 
our  soil,  and  splendid  as  our  climate."  As  the  young 
man  spoke  these  words  his  face  flushed,  and  his  form 
diluted  with  sincere,  and  eloquent  enthusiasm. 

"But,"  returned  Ellingwood,  "can  you  really  mean 
to  say  that  the  South  is  organizing  and  drilling,  and  de- 
termined, if  the  coming  election  does  not  accord  with  her 
wishes,  to  withdraw  from  the  government?  Depend 
upon  it,  the  hand  in  this  country,  from  whatever  sec- 
tion, which  dares  first  draw  the  sword,  will  perish  by  the 
sword.  Besides,  you  will  destroy  the  only  possible  secu- 
rity for  your  favorite  institution.  Now,  each  Federal 
Judge,  under  the  solemn  responsibilities  of  his  office,  in 
the  face  of  mobs,  and  supported  by  the  whole  army  of 
the  Republic,  is  ready  to  deliver  your  fugitives.  Commit 
yourselves  to  this  movement,  and  every  chain  will  be  rent, 
and  every  slave  be  free,  but  not  until  this  land  is  de- 
luged with  blood,  and  filled  with  corpses." 

"Xo,   no,"    rejoined    Austin,   smiling,   and   with    the 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  17 

slightest  possible  sneer  on  his  lip,  and  contempt  in  his 
tone,  suppressed  by  his  real  love  and  respect  for  his 
friend.  "Xo,  no,  Xed.  You  know  we  Southerners  are 
trained  to  pistol  and  bowie-knife  and  rifle,  and  when 
you  see  us  armed,  and  panting  for  battle,  you  will  submit 
on  the  field,  as  you  have  always  succumbed  in  the 
cabinet." 

These  words,  jocularly  uttered,  struck  fire  from  the  eyes 
of  Ellingwood.  His  cheek  grew  red  as  the  berries  flush- 
ing above  his  head.  His  whole  form  expanded  into 
youthful  majesty.  His  voice  trembled  with  his  deep 
agitation.  As  the  two  students  stood  face  to  face,  with 
equal  sincerity,  equal  talent,  and  equal  spirit,  they  seemed 
completely  to  personify  their  respective  opinions. 

"Charles,"  said  Ellingwood,  "Is  this  a  delusion? 
Can  you  not  understand?  Can  you  not  know  us  even 
from  myself?  Although  we  love  peace,  we  are  capable 
of  war.  That  conscious  strength  which  endures  long  is 
most  fearful  when  aroused.  A  loyalty  slumbers  in  the 
Xorth  which  will  resemble  the  great  river  suddenly 
thundering  into  the  resistless  cataract.  You  may  strike 
down  our  flag,  but  before  it  reaches  the  earth  millions  of 
arms  will  be  outstretched  to  raise  it  towards  Heaven.  The 
blood  of  heroes  is  in  our  veins.  The  fires  of  the  revolu- 
tion may  be  concealed  beneath  the  ashes  of  selfishness  and 
faction,  but  they  will  burst  forth,  and  fill  the  world  with 
their  blaze." 

"Stop,  stop,"  responded  Austin,  with  the  passionate 
eagerness  of  alarmed  friendship,  "I  have  touched  your 
pride,  Xed,  by  questioning  your  courage.  But  my  dear 
fellow,  I  intended  no  insinuation  against  you  personally. 
You  showed  your  daring,  when  you  rushed  forward  and 
caught  my  frightened  horses  and  saved  my  life,  at  the  risk 


18  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

of  your  own,  while  my  own  Georgian  cousins  stood  be- 
wildered and  aghast.  God  bless  you,  Edward,  you  are 
true  as  steel,  and  brave  as  Washington.  But,"  he 
added  archly,  "you  little  knew  what  a  rebel  you  were 
rescuing,  or  perhaps  you  would  have  let  Joe  and  Tom 
dash  me  oyer  the  rocks,  and  drown  my  treason  beneath 
the  peaceful  waters  of  the  Vernon." 

The  young  gentlemen  both  smiled,  and  cordially  shak- 
ing hands,  by  the  grasp  of  friendship,  allayed  the  rising 
storm,  which  nevertheless  was  gathering,  and  muttering 
over  the  entire  country  too  soon  to  burst  forth  in  its  fatal 
fury. 

"  Charles,"  said  Edward,  affectionately,  still  holding,  and 
pressing  the  hand  of  his  friend,  "have  you  reflected  that 
in  the  event  of  a  war,  you  and  I,  now  standing  in  this  still 
evening,  above  this  placid  stream,  eye  to  eye,  and  heart  to 
heart,  may  hereafter  meet  in  opposing  ranks  on  the 
murderous  field,  and  one  become  spotted  with  the  blood 
of  the  other?" 

Ellingwood  shook  as  he  concluded  the  sentence.  This 
thought  had  evidently  never  crossed  the  mind  of  the 
impulsive  Southerner,  and  his  lid  moistened,  and  his  lip 
quivered  at  the  very  apprehension  of  such  a  possibility. 

"  Moreover, "  continued  Edward,  "  how  can  you  separate 
by  the  carnage  of  battle,  and  the  wrecks  of  states,  those 
two  devoted  girls?" 

Charles  looked  in  the  direction  indicated  by  the  face 
and  finger  of  his  friend.  On  the  top  of  a  hill  rising 
above  the  opposite  bank  of  the  stream,  and  distinctly 
traced  on  the  illuminated  sky,  were  two  female  forms, 
even  in  the  distance  conspicuous  for  their  symmetry 
and  elegance.  As  the  crimson  of  the  cloud  rested 
on  them  they    seemed   almost    transfigured    in  a  super- 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  19 

natural  glory.  Walking  swiftly  down  the  hill  the 
ladies  soon  stood  in  the  shadow  of  the  trees.  Mary 
Ellingwood  showed  a  lip  and  cheek  brilliant  as  the  rose. 
She  was  small,  but  inexpressibly  graceful.  Her  forehead 
was  somewhat  square,  and  her  nose  had  a  slightly  upward 
tendency,  yet  her  mouth  was  perfect,  and  her  eye  beamed 
with  animation.  Miss  Austin  was  an  image  of  her 
brother.  Her  complexion  was  indeed  usually  pale,  but 
the  graceful  proportions  of  a  tall  figure,  a  classic  nose,  a 
large,  lustrous,  splendid  eye  full  of  gentle  light  and  love, 
a  low  voice  soft  with  Southern  languor,  and  a  countenance 
exhibiting  mingled  culture  and  kindness,  adorned  her 
with  all  that  can  be  expected  in  a  woman.  As  the  girls, 
animated  by  their  exercise,  stood  together  above  the 
stream — 

"Ah,  my  angry  knights,"  began  Mary,  "It  is  well 
the  exciting  scenes  of  this  august  Commencement  have 
brought  us  from  neighboring  Massachusetts  and  remote 
Georgia,  to  separate  you  in  your  wrath,  and  stop  the 
effusion  of  your  blood.  "We  saw  your  rapid  gestures,  and 
your  threatening  attitudes,  and  rushed  like  angels  of  peace 
to  breathe  love  into  your  hearts.  We  appear,  and  lo  you 
stand  meek  as  when  Freshmen  you  were  caught  pilfering 
a  Professor's  orchard,  and  afterwards — more  dreadful 
crime — murdering  in  your  President's  hen-roost." 

"Or  rather  you  resemble,"  added  Anna,  "two  dignified 
Seniors,  crowned  with  prophetic  laurels,  who  having 
exhausted  their  rage  and  their  arguments  become  quiet 
sheep  because  they  have  nothing  left  to  preserve  them 
rampant  lions." 

"Nay,  nay,"  cried  Ellingwood,  laughing,  "we  pause  as 
did  the  earthly  choir  of  St.  Cecilia  gazing  into  the  cloud 


20  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

of  heaven,  that  they  might  hear  strains  from  the  sweeter 
angels." 

"Or,"  interrupted  Austin,  "as  garrulous  young  ladies 
subside  before  the  more  experienced  tongues  of  gossiping 
spinsters,  charged  with  the  secrets  of  families  and  welfare 
of  neighborhoods,  and  who  while  plying  the  needle  to 
clothe  orphans,  are  plying  the  tongue  to  uncover  the 
faults  of  their  friends.  But,  Ellingwood,  before  these  girls 
retort  with  their  woman's  wit,  jump  into  this  boat,  while  I 
loose  the  chain,  and  we  will  ferry  the  angels  over  these 
waters  of  peace  and  let  them  drop  concord  from  their 
wings." 

The  young  men  with  a  few  vigorous  strokes  of  the  oars 
pulled  the  skiff  to  the  other  bank,  where  their  sisters 
entered,  and  were  soon  brought  over,  while  the  boat  left 
behind  it  circles  of  gold  made  by  the  beams  of  a  summer 
moon  just  lifting  her  full  orb  into  view.  The  gay  voices 
of  the  retiring  party  were  soon  lost  as  they  disappeared 
amid  the  trees,  whose  shadows  interspersed  with  waving 
light  lay  along  the  hill.  Still  contrasting  with  the  merry 
sounds  was  the  solemn  cry  of  a  hooting  owl.  And 
although  in  one  direction  the  heavens  were  bright  and 
serene,  in  another  were  rising  portentous  masses  of  clouds, 
crossed  with  lightnings,  growling  with  thunders,  black 
with  tempests. 


CHAPTER   II 


COMMENCEMENT. 


The  storm  passed  away  with  the  night,  and  the  morn- 
ins:  of  the  commencement  dawned  in  cloudless  brilliance. 
An  American  mocking-bird,  whose  cage  hung  in  the  piazza 
of  President  Cleveland's  house,  catching  inspiration  from 
the  sun,  poured  from  his  throat  a  flood  Of  melody  to  salute 
day's  welcome  king,  and  rival  the  flood  of  beams  streaming 
from  the  face  of  his  ascending  majesty.  The  notes  so 
varied,  so  exquisite  and  so  powerful,  made  the  ear  insen- 
sible to  all  more  modest  songs,  and  drowned  the  orchestral 
chorus  bursting  from  every  bush  and  field  and  forest  over 
the  wide  landscape.  Thus  nature  herself  gave  omens  of 
happiness  on  this  occasion  of  annual  joy.  Mary  and  Anna 
stood  together  on  a  porch,  covered  with  a  bloom  of  roses 
made  fragrant  in  the  morning  dew.  They  were  specula- 
ting in  regard  to  the  exciting  topic  which  had  evidently 
agitated  their  brothers  on  the  preceding  evening,  and 
about  which  had  been  thrown  a  studious  mystery. 

"  What,"  said  the  former,  "  could  have  caused  the  vio- 
lent gestures  we  perceived  in  the  distance,  and  the  tumult 
of  emotions  they  so  plainly  sought  to  suppress  ?  Surely 
Damon  and  Pythias  are  not  going  to  quarrel.  Should  this 
happen,  Anna,  we  will  soon  suspect  our  own  constancy." 

"Oh,  never,  Mary,  never!"  was  the  quick  response, 
while  the  eye  and  face  of  Miss  Austin  were  at  once  soft- 
ened and  brightened  with  affection.  "I  greatly  fear," 
she  added,  "that  the  discussion  was  in  reference  to  the 

21 


22  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

state  of  the  country,"  and  then,  while  her  countenance 
indicated  the  utmost  alarm,  she  concluded  by  saying, 
"  There  is  sometimes  on  my  heart  an  oppressive  weight. 
A  sadness  steals  over  me  I  cannot  explain,  since  I  noticed, 
before  leaving  home,  my  cousin,  Major  Worstal,  often  in 
consultation  with  men  who  seemed  military.  Frequently 
loads  of  arms  passed  through  our  village,  and  our  servants 
were  continually  reporting  marchings  in  the  grove  and 
drillings  in  the  swamp." 

"Oh,  Anna,  Anna,"  responded  Mary,  "surely,  surely 
the  South  will  not  rush  into  war.  Dark  visions  sometimes 
cross  my  own  mind.  How  fearful  too  would  be  the  barrier 
dividing  our  own  lives !  But,  nonsense !  we  will  soon  make 
ourselves  old  women  with  our  gloom.  Let  us  be  happy 
to-day  as  the  President's  bird." 

With  these  words  the  girls  ran  gaily  down  the  walk, 
and  warbled  together  the  stanza  of  a  merry  song.  "While 
thus  pleasantly  engaged,  musical  with  youth  and  health 
and  hope,  their  attention  was  arrested  by  observing 
through  the  trees  a  man  acting  as  if  wholly  beside  himself. 
He  danced ;  he  leaped ;  he  tossed  his  cap  in  the  air,  and 
caught  it  when  it  fell  in  a  species  of  absurd  ecstasy ;  he 
flung  himself  on  the  grass,  and  rolled  over  and  over,  evi- 
dently seeking  relief  from  some  long-suppressed  emotion, 
while  his  face  worked  fantastically  and  his  form  shook 
almost  convulsively. 

"  Is  it  possible,"  said  Mary,  gazing  and  smiling  at  these 
antics,  "  that  the  man  is  Silent  Dick,  of  whom  the  boys 
speak  so  often?  Whatever  prank  is  played  by  the  stu- 
dents, his  invariable  answer  to  the  faculty  is, '  don't  know.' 
He  sees  nothing,  hears  nothing,  says  nothing,  and  yet  is 
supposed  to  be  a  species  of  ubiquity  whenever  mischief  is 
in  progress." 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  23 

"  He  is  doubtless  now,"  replied  Anna,  "  refreshing  him- 
self for  the  ignorance  and  silence  of  many  years.  He 
greatly  resembles  my  Uncle  Brompton's  horse  turned 
suddenly  into  pasture." 

The  girls  laughed  heartily  as  they  still  continued  to 
observe  Dick's  ludicrous  actions.  The  truth  is,  the  simple 
janitor,  from  an  instinct  of  self-preservation,  practiced  the 
most  profound  taciturnity  both  as  regards  faculty  and 
students.  By  his  wise  policy  he  retained  his  place  from 
year  to  year,  fixed  as  the  college-pump  or  the  college- 
steeple — ay,  more  fixed ;  for  the  first  of  these  had  not  long 
before  taken  a  strange  freak  of  exploding  itself  to  shivers ; 
and  the  second,  on  the  same  calm  night,  had  suddenly  lost 
its  gravity,  and  most  indecorously  tumbled  down  the  roof, 
and,  after  sundry  absurd  motions,  leaped  jocosely  over  the 
eaves,  and  assumed  a  plebeian  posture  on  the  ground,  sin- 
gularly contrasting  with  its  former  aristocratic  stateliness. 
Thus  all  the  silent  dignitaries  of  the  place  were  at  once 
whirled  away  from  their  customary  propriety.  Dick  had 
for  years,  at  a  safe  distance,  seen  class-rooms  emptied,  and 
bed-rooms  packed,  and  hen-rooms  plundered,  and  dogs, 
and  geese,  and  calves,  and  once  even  a  monkey,  noisily 
discoursing  or  solemnly  presiding  in  professors'  chairs. 
During  twenty  seasons  he  had  been  a  silent  witness  to  all 
the  mad  pranks  of  American  boys.  Now,  affected  by  the 
contagious  antics  of  pump  and  steeple,  he  is  exhibiting  his 
superior  Irish  mirthfulness.  Yet  his  frolic  was  occasioned 
by  a  most  sober  fact.  The  morning-bell  had  awaked  from 
drowsy  slumbers  lazy  students  and  growling  professors. 
Entering  the  chapel,  they  saw,  in  the  dim  light,  over  the 
very  desk  of  the  president,  a  suspended  form,  grim,  hideous, 
spectral,  flinging  around  its  skeleton  arms,  rattling  its 
loose  limbs,  and  pointing  its  bony  fingers  in  a  manner  the 


24  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

most  startling  and  grotesque.  Such  a  sombre  vision  of 
death  had  produced  laughter  in  a  living  man  usually- 
grave  as  those  eyeless  sockets  and  that  round  white  skull. 
While  the  girls  were  enjoying  their  fun  in  observing 
Dick  the  surrounding  country  began  to  be  in  motion. 
Along  the  roads  of  the  hills  were  discerned  vehicles,  like 
black  specks,  descending  into  the  valley,  filled  with  men, 
women  and  children,  and,  as  they  arrived,  emptying  them- 
selves beneath  the  sunny  branches  of  spreading  trees 
casting  their  morning  shadows  over  the  college  lawn. 
Occasionally  a  carriage,  with  a  Hibernian  or  an  African 
coachman,  brought  the  family  of  a  wealthy  merchant,  or 
physician,  or  lawyer,  from  a  neighboring  county-seat.  In 
a  few  instances  city  horses  drew  city  people  in  city  splen- 
dor to  the  door  of  the  chapel,  and  then  the  conscious 
animals,  after  pawing  in  their  pride,  whirled  away  with  an 
aristocratic  dash.  By  way  of  contrast  might  have  been 
seen  meek  clergymen,  with  their  meek  families,  descending 
from  meek  weather-worn  conveyances.  The  village  was  a 
type  of  the  country.  It  contained  representatives  from 
every  part  of  our  republic.  Fathers,  mothers,  brothers, 
sisters,  uncles,  aunts,  cousins,  friends,  had  made  weary 
journeys  from  far  States  to  hear  some  mere  boy  deliver 
his  rude  speech,  and  see  him  receive  an  undeserved  sheep- 
skin. Men  of  the  highest  culture  and  distinction  in 
America  were  drawn  to  this  retired  place  by  an  invisible 
attraction.  North,  South,  East  and  West  assembled  in  a 
manner  belonging  to  that  period  of  our  national  history 
when  Calhoun,  and  Clay,  and  Haines  and  Webster  debated 
with  matchless  power  and  eloquence  in  our  Capitol.  How 
striking  the  interest  thus  excited  by  youth,  as  they  stand 
for  a  moment,  gilded  with  hope,  on  that  brilliant  summit 
separating  the  land  of  dreams  from  the  land  of  realities  1 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  25 

Age  loves  the  contemplation,  because  it  excites  so  many 
bright  images  of  its  own  former  joys  and  aspirations. 

But  while  we  are  philosophizing,  notes  of  music  swell 
upon  the  air.  President,  and  professors,  and  seniors, 
robed  in  their  black  go^ns,  are  beginning  to  march,  fol- 
lowed by  "sober  trustees,  solemn  dignitaries,  and  indis- 
criminate individuals.  .Behind  comes  the  laboring  band 
blowing  with  puffing  cheeks  as  if  the  important  occasion 
was  one  of  wind  rather  than  of  ideas.  The  pompous  pro- 
cession moves  along  the  gravelled  walk,  and  entering  the 
chapel  is  succeeded  by  a  pushing  crowd  distributing  them- 
selves according  to  assignment,  or  caprice,  or  necessity. 
Then  there  is  prayer,  and  then  there  is  music.  Speeches 
are  announced,  and  delivered  in  the  usual  student  style. 
Only  a  single  incident  has  occurred  to  separate  the  occa- 
sion from  what  seems  to  those  not  specially  and  personally 
interested  but  a  dismal  return  of  annual  platitudes.  An 
ambitious  orator  had  described  the  American  eagle 
soaring  above  the  clouds  with  his  eye  of  fire  undazzled  by 
the  sun.  Just  as  the  sublime  creature  had  reached  its 
noblest  altitude,  and  the  audience  with  eager  gaze,  and  in 
breathless  stillness,  were  following  the  upward  gesture  of 
the  impassioned  youth,  at  the  climax  of  the  figure,  a  mis- 
chievous ventriloquizing  Freshman,  who  had  watched  the 
flight,  and  cruelly  waited  its  culmination,  uttered  a  shrill 
crow  like  the  clarion  of  a  victorious  rooster.  The  sound 
seeming  to  issue  from  the  very  beak  of  the  imperial  bird, 
filled  the  building,  and  convulsed  the  spectators,  whose 
peals  of  laughter  sounded  strangely  in  contrast  with  the 
previous  hush  of  the  assembly.  The  only  composed  face 
visible  belonged  to  the  urchin  who  wrought  the  murder- 
ous mischief.  The  victimized  speaker  slunk  away  like 
a  crest-fallen  cock.  "When  he  has  retired  a  sullen  stillness 
3 


2Q  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

is  observable.  Soon  the  flutter  of  a  fan  becomes  painful. 
A  tall  youth  having  crossed  the  platform,  makes  a  grace- 
ful bow,  and  even  by  his  presence  fascinates  with  a  quiet, 
mysterious  magnetism.  Eye,  mouth,  forehead,  form,  atti- 
tude denote  the  native  orator.  His  first  silvery  utterance 
charmed  the  ear,  and  fixed  the  attention.  As  Charles 
Austin  stood  before  his  audience,  expressing  in  clear, 
beautiful,  impassioned  words,  and  with  the  pathos  of  an 
inimitable  voice,  assisted  by  a  gesticulation  of  easy  grace, 
the  fancied  wrongs,  and  imagined  rights  of  the  South,  he 
glowed,  and  burned  with  the  convictions  of  a  persuasive 
eloquence.  The  hush  of  interest  was  soon  intense.  At  the 
close,  when  he  advocated  secession  in  principle,  and  in 
policy,  there  was  a  climax  of  excitement.  Southern  stu- 
dents burst  forth  into  screams  of  applause.  Southern  gen- 
tlemen looked  pleased.  Southern  matrons  smiled  sunnily. 
Southern  girls  waved  their  fans,  and  nodded  their  heads 
in  delight.  Even  Southern  negroes  grinned  with  a  species 
of  sectional  sympathetic  pride,  and  satisfaction.  Bouquets 
W3re  flung  upon  the  stage,  and  the  young  orator  retired 
amid  storms  of  applause.  The  Faculty,  and  Trustees, 
and  the  Northern  portion  of  the  audience  sat  under  a 
cloud  of  surprise,  and  sullen  mortification. 

Edward  Ellingwood  followed  Charles  Austin,  having, 
as  valedictorian,  the  closing  speech.  He  was  not,  like  his 
friend,  an  orator.  His  voice  had  no  special  music,  and 
his  manner  had  no  special  grace.  His  person  was  rather 
pleasing  than  commanding.  Still,  the  noble  forehead,  the 
firm  mouth,  the  manly  tone,  the  clear  eye,  the  lofty  pur- 
pose of  a  generous  soul  illuminating  the  intellectual  face, 
and  giving  dignity  to  the  erect  form,  won  confidence,  and 
compelled  attention.  "When  Ellingwood  parted  from 
Austin  on  the  preceding  evening  he  read  in  the  conversa- 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  27 

tion  of  his  friend  the  tenor  of  his  speech,  and  he  had 
spent  many  hours  of  the  night  in  shaping  an  answer.  He 
now  described  the  struggles  of  the  Revolution,  the  glory 
of  the  Constitution,  the  vastness  of  the  Republic,  its  in- 
fluence for  freedom,  its  weakness  divided,  its  power  united, 
and  sketched,  almost  with  the  glow  of  prophetic  inspi- 
ration, its  future,  when,  collecting  and  fusing  the  na- 
tionalities of  the  world,  it  should  be  a  centre  of  universal 
light,  and  liberty,  and  perhaps  exhibit  humanity  in  its  last 
and  noblest  development.  Yet  there  was  no  pompous, 
sophomoric,  American  exaggeration.  Ellingwood  never 
passed  the  limit  of  a  clear,  forcible,  manly  argumentation. 
His  audience,  however,  caught  fire  from  the  sparks  of  his 
calmly-earnest  soul.  Soon  the  Northern  enthusiasm  sur- 
passed every  limit.  Even  a  venerable  Bishop  was  seen 
clapping  his  hands.  Sober  Trustees  were  surprised  into 
sudden  smiles,  and  approving  nods.  One  member  of  the 
Faculty  so  far  forgot  his  dignity  as  to  stamp  on  the  plat- 
form. An  old  Clergyman  extending  his  arm  in  a  rapture 
knocked  over  a  stand  from  the  stage,  and  a  descending 
flood  from  a  falling  pitcher  consequently  quenched  the 
zeal  of  a  stout  farmer  sitting  below,  who,  not  pleased  with 
a  public  shower-bath,  brushed  away  the  unwelcome  drops 
with  his  red  bandanna,  and  muttered  curses  against  cold- 
water  parsons.  The  Xorthern  students  broke  forth  into 
loud,  long,  vociferous  hurrahs.  Ebony  faces  showed  rows 
of  shining  ivory.  As  Edward  passed  away  over  the  plat- 
form he  was  showered  with  roses.  One  delighted  Senator 
stooped  down,  and  snatching  a  garland  of  evergreen  from 
the  stage  crowned  the  Orator.  This  circumstance  intensi- 
fied the  excitement,  and  the  assembly  seemed  swayed  by 
a  tempest.  The  jubilant  strains  of  "  Hail  Columbia," 
pealing  from  horn,  and  trumpet  and  bassoon  crowned  the 


28  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

triumph  of  the  occasion.  Yet  the  glowing  victories  of  the 
two  young  speakers  rent  the  Institution  in  sunder  forever. 
Northern  and  Southern  students  parted  with  kindness, 
and  yet  with  a  conscious  alienation,  and  a  boding  appre- 
hension. The  scene  at  the  termination  of  this  commence- 
ment was  a  picture  in  miniature  of  a  war  which  was  to 
divide  the  Republic,  where  bullets  would  "be  substituted 
for  words,  and  where  instead  of  peaceful  plaudits  would 
be  heard  contending  armies. 


CHAPTER   III 


THE  PARTING. 


"  Ha,  Mr.  Ellingwood,"  said  Anna  Austin,  as  she  and 
the  gentleman  addressed  stood  on  the  President's  lawn, 
under  a  large  elm,  "  unfortunate  is  it  for  you  that  we  have 
been  detained  here  by  the  accident  on  the  train.  The 
village  is  in  arms  against  you  and  Charles  for  destroying, 
by  your  speeches,  an  institution  which  the  people  love  as 
they  do  their  own  flesh.  The  glow  of  the  Commencement 
has  vanished,  and  its  victors  are  to-day  victims.  Such  is 
the  fickle  populace.  They,  or  the  Faculty,  led  by  indig- 
nant Dick  and  other  disinterested  officials,  supported  by  a 
crowd  whose  patriotism  dreads  starvation,  will  pluck  your 
garlands  from  your  brow." 

"  Yes,"  said  Edward,  laughing,  "  our  eloquence  was  cer- 
tainly wind  to  have  made  such  a  storm.  Curious,  isn't  it, 
Anna  ?    What  does  Charley  say  ?" 

"I  am  afraid  to  tell  you." 

"  Don't  be  alarmed,  and  I  shan't  be  offended." 

"  Brother  avers  that  Yankee  patriotism  is  in  the  pocket, 
and  not  in  the  heart ;  and  that  in  your  farmers  especially 
it  is  a  fierce  flame  until  it  reaches  their  poultry  and  their 
crops." 

"  Yet,"  replied  Edward,  "  in  the  Revolution  it  singed 
King  George's  lion." 

"And  in  the  event  of  the  war,"  rejoined  Anna,  "you 
and  Charles  have  brought  on  the  country  by  your  Com- 
mencement oratory,  the  royal  beast  may  growl  again  at 
3*  29 


30  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

the  recollection  of  the  fire,  and  strike  down  your  flag  with 
his  paw.  It  is  dangerous  to  use  rashly  on  such  august 
occasions  your  extensive  influence." 

Ellingwood  was  somewhat  staggered  at  this  unexpected 
thrust.  The  truth  is  he  had  intended  this  interview  to 
take  an  entirely  different  direction.  He  loved  Anna,  and 
he  knew  that  Anna  loved  him,  and  before  parting  he  hoped 
they  would  be  bound  together  during  life.  In  his  embar- 
rassment he  blushed  and  pulled  a  cigar  from  his  pocket. 

He  was  ten  years  before  his  era.  In  the  present  age  he 
would  have  opened  his  match-box  and  lighted  his  Havana, 
and  declared  himself  under  a  wreath  of  tobacco  smoke. 
Bold  that  man  who  ventured  his  first  puff  in  the  presence 
of  a  lady !  Memorable  that  youth  who,  with  the  delicious 
weed  glowing  in  his  lips,  forgot  the  shining  stars,  and  on 
the  thronged  avenue,  arm  in  arm  with  his  fiance,  whispered 
in  her  ear  his  perfumed  vows !  Immortal  that  hero  who, 
beneath  a  circling  cloud,  while  whirling  through  the 
crowded  park,  jauntily  knocked  off  his  ashes  with  his 
finger  and  improved  the  interval  by  avowing,  amid  the 
roll  of  wheels,  a  passion  hot  as  the  coal  he  so  gracefully 
exposed ! 

At  the  period  we  describe,  Young  America  was  several 
years  from  a  millenium  produced  by  the  war,  when  a  gen- 
tleman could  smoke  in  a  drawing-room,  smoke  during  a 
drive,  smoke  on  a  sidewalk,  smoke  in  making  love,  and 
smoke  in  breaking  love,  and  feel  that  the  fragrance  of 
tobacco  in  his  clothing  was  more  delicious  and  acceptable 
than  the  odor  of  the  rose. 

Ellingwood  in  his  confusion  really  bit  off  the  end  of  his 
cigar,  and  returned  it  to  his  vest  pocket  with  an  embar- 
rassed apology.  The  conversation  would  probably  then 
have  taken  a  more  serious  turn,  but  just  at  this  important 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  31 

moment  Mary  Ellingwood,  followed  by  Charles  Austin, 
came  running  gaily  along  the  walk. 

"Oh!  Edward!  Edward!"  she  cried  merrily,  "you 
have  ruined  yourself,  your  institution,  your  country.  The 
Faculty,  so  delighted  on  yesterday,  would  to-day  rob  you 
of  your  sheep-skin.  The  Senator  who  crowned  you  with 
the  garland  would  now  take  off  your  head.  Every  old 
lady  of  the  village  regards  you  as  she  would  a  wolf  in  a 
famine." 

"  Yes,"  said  Charles,  coming  up,  "  "Ned,  we  have  made 
a  pretty  muss.  Did  you  see  the  farmer  whose  enthusiasm 
was  extinguished  by  the  pitcher  Mr.  Brinton  knocked  over 
on  his  head?  He  swears  'them  sassy  fellers  will  spile 
the  nashun,  and  fetch  down  butter  two  cents  a  pound. 
Geese,  ducks,  chickens,  cows,  calves,  mules,  and  hosses,' 
he  thinks,  '  won't  be  worth  the  raisin'/  " 

"  Possibly,"  responded  Ellingwood,  slyly,  and  with  the 
slightest  possible  approach  to  a  sneer  that  his  friendship 
would  allow,  "should  our  eloquence  really  provoke  a 
war,  the  same  might  be  said  of  another  class  of  more 
valuable  animals  in  a  more  remote  section  of  the 
country." 

This  remark  would  have  provoked  serious  feeling ;  but 
Mary  showed  alarm  and  adroitly  changed  the  conver- 
sation. Where  there  is  a  real  affection  storms  are  easily 
avoided. 

While  the  young  people  were  indulging  their  fun  and 
banter  on  the  very  eve  of  a  separation  which  was  to  ter- 
minate in  tears,  Judge  Ellingwood  and  General  Brompton 
were  engaged  in  more  serious  discussion  on  the  piazza  of 
the  President.  The  moon  had  now  risen  in  her  fullness. 
A  mellow  light  over  nature  seemed  to  bathe  her  in  its 
peace.    The  leaves  on  elm  and  maple  shimmered  in  its 


32  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

gold,  and  rose  and  honeysuckle  waved  and  blushed  in  the 
brilliance  as  it  streamed  from  the  room  through  the  lattice. 
The  scenes  of  the  Commencement  on  the  previous  day  had 
somewhat  embarrassed  the  relations  of  the  gentlemen ;  but 
radically  different  as  were  their  opinions,  they  had  too 
much  sense  to  permit  any  estrangement. 

"Keally,  General,"  said  Judge  Ellingwood,  "I  have 
never  heard  anything  approach  the  eloquence  of  your 
nephew.  You  Southerners  have  a  genius  for  oratory 
wThich  he  has  inherited  in  its  perfection.  His  style  is 
figurative  without  being  ornate,  and  always  pervaded  by  a 
glow  which  gives  interest  to  his  argument.  Then  he^  pos- 
sesses that  magnetism  of  voice  and  manner  no  art  can 
attain.  I  confess  I  admired  his  eloquence  more  than  his 
principles.  I  could  scarcely  myself  resist  the  spell  of  his 
inspiration.     He  does  credit  to  your  training." 

"And  yet,"  responded  General  Brompton,  "your  son 
has  the  more  available  talent.  Our  age  is  too  sharp  for 
oratory.  Tropes  must  yield  to  facts.  Statistics  are  destroy- 
ing the  rhetoricians.  Edward  will  be  better  suited  to  his 
era,  and  I  predict  for  him  the  highest  eminence  at  the  Bar 
and  in  the  Senate." 

"  Let  us  thank  Heaven  for  the  promise  of  our  boys,  in- 
stead of  contrasting  their  gifts.  But  do  you  deem  it  pos- 
sible that  the  South  will  be  carried  away  by  the  species  of 
enthusiasm  which  Charles  excited  yesterday  ?" 

"  My  abstract  opinions,  you  know,  have  always  been  on 
the  side  of  secession.  No  man  living  has  ever  so  com- 
manded my  admiration  as  John  C.  Calhoun.  I  was  a 
pupil  in  his  law  office  and  was  educated  under  the  fascina- 
tions of  his  presence.  Still  I  have  dreaded  the  immediate 
consequences  of  my  own  opinions.  While  I  am  trans- 
ported with  the  prospect  of  a  Southern  Empire,  I  stand 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  33 

trembling  over  this  chasm  of  separation,  and  have  done 
all  in  my  power  to  hold  back  our  people." 

Judge  Ellingwood  paused  suddenly  as  these  words  were 
uttered.  He  seized  both  the  hands  of  his  old  friend  and 
looked  him  steadily  in  the  face.  They  stood  illuminated 
with  the  radiance  which  was  pouring  through  the  window 
over  their  persons.  The  voice  of  the  Judge  trembled  and 
his  whole  person  was  visibly  agitated. 

"  General,"  he  cried,  "  we  know  each  other  too  well,  and 
our  attachment  is  too  long,  to  be  shaken  by  antagonisms 
of  opinion.  We  are  both  too  old  to  have  any  selfish 
interest  in  a  sectional  contest.  Let  me  beseech  you  when 
you  return  home,  use  your  great  personal  influence  to  resist 
this  popular  frenzy.  A  civil  war  in  this  republic  will  shed 
blood  enough  to  float  its  navy.  It  will  shake  the  hopes 
of  the  world.  In  the  end  it  may  obliterate  slavery  and 
change  the  whole  social  aspect  of  the  South." 

"Judge  Ellingwood,"  quickly  responded  the  General, 
and  with  equal  emotion,  "we  will  not  now  disturb  our 
friendship  and  embitter  our  farewell  by  political  discus- 
sions. The  conflict  is  inevitable.  Five  years  will  loose 
the  earthquake.  Human  power  is  vain  to  arrest  what 
Heaven  has  decreed.  My  fears,  against  my  judgment, 
have  sought  to  avert  the  coming  strife.  The  task  I  have 
found  impossible.  Whatever  the  result,  let  no  opposition 
of  sentiment  destroy  that  esteem  and  affection  which  have 
brightened  so  many  years  of  our  lives." 

The  noble  old  men,  moving  away  from  the  light,  grasped 
each  other  by  the  hand,  and  then,  with  the  strongest  pro- 
testations of  friendship,  warmly  embraced  before  sepa- 
rating. 

Just  as  they  parted  younger  and  gayer  voices  were 
heard  approaching,  and  soon  there  were  partings  equally 


34  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

tender  and  affectionate.  As  they  withdrew  to  their  several 
places  of  repose,  the  moon,  which  had  been  pouring  over 
them  a  mild  glory,  was  seen  struggling  in  a  gigantic  cloud, 
whose  ominous  shadow,  flinging  itself  over  their  receding 
forms,  was  followed  by  a  burst  of  brilliance  as  the  queen 
of  night,  disengaged  from  the  blackness,  rode  in  silent 
triumph  over  heaven. 


CHAPTER    IV. 

THE   LIFE  TEST. 

"My  dear,"  said  Mrs.  Cleveland  to  her  husband  as  they 
sat  together  in  his  study,  "there  is  a  shadow  on  your 
brow."  Then  taking  his  hand  and  tenderly  kissing  his 
forehead,  she  continued,  "  Do  tell  me  what  troubles  you." 

"Everything,  Emily,  everything.  God  and  man  are 
against  me." 

"  But,  my  love,"  she  answered  in  a  tone  of  reproving 
affection,  "have  you  no  trust  in  Heaven?  Surely  we  can 
commit  our  trials  to  Him  who  has  promised  support,  and 
guidance." 

"Heaven,"  burst  forth  Cleveland,  bitterly.  "  Heaven," 
he  repeated  almost  frantically;  "has  not  Heaven  permit- 
ted these  Trustees  to  crush  me,  my  Faculty  to  desert  me, 
my  friends  to  betray  me  ?  One  year  since  they  brought 
me  here  in  triumph.  Row,  not  a  dog  in  the  village  but 
would  bark  me  away,  and  bite  me  as  I  ran.  Nothing  so 
detestable  as  this  miserable  Protestant  treachery.  Our 
schools  breed  only  small  serpents.  Every  parish  is  a  nest 
of  petty  vipers.     Our  colleges  are  full  of  imps  and  devils." 

Mrs.  Cleveland  arose  alarmed  before  this  unusual 
tempest  of  passion. 

"  My  dear,"  she  whispered  softly,  "  Do  curb  your  indig- 
nation. Be  careful  how  you  talk!  Even  at  this  late 
hour  of  the  night  some  treacherous  ear  may  treasure  these 
words  to  your  injury." 

35 


36  THE    AMERICAN    CARDINAL. 

"  Leave  me,  Emily,"  lie  pettishly  replied,  "  I  wish  to  be 
alone." 

As  Mrs.  Cleveland  withdrew  from  the  study,  and  passed 
into  the  hall,  and  up  the  stairs,  the  low  light  of  the  lamp 
may  enable  us  to  observe  her  face,  and  person.  Every- 
thing about  her  appeared  to  have  been  arrested  just  as  it 
was  passing  its  natural  limit.  Her  nose  was  beautifully 
round,  and  regular,  yet  with  a  tendency  towards  promi- 
nence. Her  eye,  visible  an  instant  in  the  light,  was 
just  on  the  verge  of  being  too  large,  too  black,  and  too 
full.  Her  forehead  was  exquisitely  formed,  and  looked 
like  white  marble  delicately  veined,  but  was  rather  high. 
Her  red  lip  was  chiselled  just  beyond  perfection  into  an 
excessive  firmness.  Her  form,  admirable  in  size,  and 
grace,  and  proportion,  would  have  been  a  sculptor's  model, 
had  it  not  been  evidently  destined  to  a  premature  embon- 
point. She  was  a  woman  of  superior  charms,  and  gifted 
mind,  Scotch-Irish  in  her  blood,  highly  educated  in  a  rigid 
Presbyterian  school,  noble  in  her  nature,  and  who,  accord- 
ing to  circumstances,  would  have  been  equally  fitted  for 
drawing-room,  or  lecture-room.  Having  afforded  us  time 
for  our  hasty  observations,  while  ascending  the  stairs,  she 
walked  rapidly  along  an  upper  hall,  and  entered  a  front 
chamber. 

"Is  there  any  change?"  she  eagerly  inquired  of  a  negro- 
nurse  who  held  in  her  arms  an  emaciated  child  about 
three  years  old. 

"Not  none,  Missus,"  was  the  reply.  "She  be  berry 
powerfu'  weak." 

"Heaven,"  cried  Mrs.  Cleveland,  kneeling  beside  her 
little  girl,  "  spare  us  this  blow.     It  will  drive  Arthur  mad." 

"No,  Missus,  what  massa  Cleveland  preach,  dat  he 
believe.     If  he  tell  de  folks  in  de  pulpit  de  Laud  help 


THE    AMERICAN    CARDINAL.  37 

Mem  in  'dar  troubles ;  when  dey  come  on  him,  he'se  trus' 
de  Laud." 

"Oh,  Eliza,"  exclaimed  the  afflicted  mistress,  "you 
can  little  understand  the  sufferings  of  such  a  spirit.  I 
sometimes  think  believing  ignorance  is  better  than  educa- 
ted doubt." 

"We'se  niggas  poor,"  said  Eliza,  "but  we  lub  de 
Savya,  and  de  Bibul,  and  de  closet,  and  grace  make  us 
rich,  Missus.  Five  chil'ren  went  from  dese  ole  arms. 
Dey  be  anguls,  bright  anguls,  anguls  like  de  Laud.  Bress 
Hebben,  Missus,"  said  the  faithful,  happy  creature,  looking 
upward  with  the  glow  of  a  seraph  on  her  black  face, 
"  'stead  of  dis  sufferin'  chile  dar  soon  be  anudder  'joicin' 
angul." 

"  Oh,"  ejaculated  Mrs.  Cleveland,  "  that  my  dear  hus- 
band had  your  simple  faith !  Far  better  would  it  be  in 
this  hour  than  all  his  wealth,  fame,  and  learning." 

Yes,  there  sat  Arthur  Cleveland  in  his  study,  with  his 
hands  pressed  on  his  brow,  and  bending  over  his  table  in 
an  agony  of  rebellious  doubt.  He  had  been  born  to 
riches,  and  high  position.  All  his  impulses  from  child- 
hood had  been  scholarly,  and  he  had  possessed  every 
advantage  which  education,  and  travel,  and  association 
could  bestow.  His  talents,  and  social  influence  had 
elevated  him  prematurely  to  the  brilliant  Presidency  of  a 
New  England  College;  a  fatal  and  unforeseen  defect  had 
soon  developed  his  unfitness  for  the  place,  and  with  all  his 
shining  gifts,  it  was  evident  another  year  of  unpleasant 
struggle  would  terminate  his  present  relation.  While  his 
intellect  had  been  disciplined  he  suffered  from  the  very 
excess  of  his  advantages,  since  his  will  had  never  been 
trained  in  those  hard  contests  which  give  poverty  often  a 
superiority  over  wealth.  His  appearance  was  an  exact 
4 


38  TEE    AMERICAN    CARDINAL. 

index  of  his  character.  He  was  tall,  graceful,  almost 
femininely  slender,  with  feet,  and  hands  and  limbs  most 
delicately  shaped  and  rounded.  His  nostril  was  that  of  an 
Apollo.  His  black  hair  fell  over  his  neck  in  shining 
curls,  and  his  brow  seemed  the  throne  of  intellect.  But 
his  small  mouth  and  jaw  indicated  weakness,  and  his  gray 
eye,  although  lustrous,  often  wandered  with  an  uncertain 
gaze.  Fortune  in  him  dwarfed  the  development  of  a 
superior  nature  by  the  very  lavish  expenditure  of  her 
gifts.  He  was  like  a  tree,  which  would  have  been  sturdy 
and  stately  amid  the  storm  of  its  mountains,  but  trans- 
planted to  the  culture  of  the  plain,  disappoints  expectation 
by  its  slender  trunk  and  sickly  bloom. 

•  "I  can't  bear  it!"  murmured  Cleveland,  striking  his 
hand  against  his  forehead.  Then  rising,  and  standing  in 
the  centre  of  the  room  he  said  desperately,  "  And  I  won't 
bear  it ! " 

His  heart  had  reached  a  bitterness  of  rebellion.  Every- 
thing in  the  study  seemed  a  contradiction  to  such  passion. 
The  books  were  in  the  most  tasteful  covers  and  the 
most  regular  rows.  The  lamp  hung  supported  by  bronze 
cherubs  and  shed  down  the  softest  light.  The  form  and 
arrangements  of  the  table,  ink-stand,  paper-folder,  knife, 
pen,  chair,  all — from  the  pattern  of  the  carpet  to  the 
fresco  of  the  ceiling,  busts,  engravings,  medallions — dis- 
played a  taste  too  delicate  and  sensitive  to  be  masculine. 
There  was  scarcely  a  country  in  the  world  not  represented 
there  by  some  minute  and  precious  relic  carved  into  a 
useful  form.  The  rich  and  exquisite  gown  of  Cleveland 
alone  indicated  his  character.  Known  to  wear  such  a  gar- 
ment, he  could  never  govern  an  American  College.  In 
fact,  the  man  unconsciously  had  become  Europeanized. 
"It  is  too  much,"  he  exclaimed,  "for  any  one  mortal  to 


THE    AMERICAN    CARDINAL.  39 

endure.  They  solicited  me  to  accept  this  detestable  Presi- 
dency. They  brought  me  here  iu  triumph.  They 
flattered  me  like  parasites.  Now,  all — Trustees,  Faculty, 
villagers — are  on  me  like  wolves.  The  students  would 
support  me,  but  their  young  enthusiasm  is  quenched  by 
perpetual  lies.  First  idolized,  and  then  tolerated,  and 
then  execrated !  Cursed  be  Protestantism  for  its  treacher- 
ous fickleness !  Rome  rises  like  a  calm,  venerable  temple 
of  refuge  through  the  storms  of  earth.  Thank  Heaven 
I  sent  for  Frances!  Why  is  he  not  here?  And  then" — 
he  wrung  his  hands  in  agony  while  he  uttered  his  daughter's 
name — "my  Ella!  oh,  my  Ella!" 

As  he  spake  these  words,  a  gentle  step  was  heard,  and 
Mrs.  Cleveland,  in  her  white  undress,  glided  to  his  side 
like  a  beautiful  apparition,  laying  her  hand  on  his 
shoulder  she  said,  in  a  low,  earnest  tone,  full  of  suppressed 
anguish : 

"  Arthur ;  oh,  Arthur !  Come !  come !  quickly !  quickly ! 
Ella  seems  dying !" 

The  President  arose  without  a  word  and  followed  his  wife 
up  the  stairs  to  a  bed-room.  On  an  elegant  table  between 
two  windows  was  a  shaded  lamp  casting  subdued  rays  on 
the  sad  scene.  Several  vials  were  scattered  over  the 
bureau.  Here  and  there  in  different  places  of  the  apart- 
ment was  a.  spoon,  or  a  cup,  or  an  untied  package  which 
had  in  its  turn  been  employed  to  relieve  the  sufferer. 
There  was  also  a  sickliness  in  the  apartment  not  removed 
by  an  opened  window,  through  which  the  breeze  was 
waving  the  curtain  and  lifting  the  golden  hair  falling 
about  a  child's  brow.  Ella  lay  on  a  pillow  placed  over 
Eliza's  knees,  and  the  pure  white  of  her  thin  hand,  and 
sunken  cheek  contrasted  strangely  with  the  black  skin 
of  the  negress.     The  face,  now   peaceful  in  a  celestial 


40  THE    AMERICAN    CARDINAL. 

beauty,  seemed  a  sculpture  from  the  vision  of  an  angel. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cleveland  stood,  hand  in  hand,  before  their 
little  girl,  gazing  in  silent  awe.  A  light  from  heaven  was 
over  the  pallid  features,  and  a  smile  was  parting  the  lips. 
They  looked,  and  looked,  and  looked  until  that  picture 
was  traced  on  their  souls  forever.  The  tick  of  a  clock  in 
an  adjoining  room  became  so  loud  in  the  stillness  that  it 
seemed  beating  the  stern  alarm  of  death.  Suddenly  there 
was  a  gentle  heaving  of  the  breast,  just  disturbing  the 
folds  of  the  open  gown  which  fell  back  from  the  bosom 
of  the  child.  Then  a  blackness  spread  from  the  neck  to 
the  chin,  diffusing  slowly  along  the  cheeks  until  it  reached 
the  forehead,  when  the  whole  face  was  covered  with  an 
inky  hue.  Now  the  mouth  worked  convulsively,  the  fea- 
tures became  distorted,  the  fingers  were  closed  tightly 
against  the  hands,  the  tender  limbs  writhed  in  agony,  and 
there  was  a  low,  spasmodic  cry  which  cut  into  the  very 
heart.  The  mother's  whole  being  was  wrung  with  a  sym- 
pathetic suffering  only  the  more  intense  because  subdued 
and  tearless.  Cleveland  was  in  a  tempest  of  uncontrolled 
anguish.  He  dropped  his  wife's  hand  and,  pointing 
wildly  to  his  child,  burst  forth  in  a  tone  of  an  impotent 
and  rebellious  despair : 

"  Emily,  this  is  too  much !  too  much !  God  inflicts  pain 
which  man  would  relieve !  Our  human  eyes  fill  with  tears 
and  Heaven  seems  adamant.  That  tortured  child  shakes 
my  faith  not  only  in  Christianity,  but  in  God.  Creation 
seems  like  a  great  rack  managed  by  an  executioner. 
How  can  love  and  wisdom  torment  the  innocent?" 

The  simple,  pious  negress  lifted  her  eyes  and  hands 
in  horror  at  sentiments  so  different  from  what  she  had 
heard  from  the  same  lips  when  the  President  discoursed 
so  unctuously  in  the  College-Chapel. 


THE    AMERICAN    CARDINAL.  41 

Mrs.  Cleveland  experienced  acute  pain,  which  intensified 
her  suffering  in  the  presence  of  her  dying  daughter.  She 
said,  looking  on  her  husband  with  an  expression  of  unut- 
terable grief,  "Arthur,  earth  is  a  mystery ;  our  only  hope 
and  guide  is  our  faith." 

"I  can  understand,"  cried  Cleveland,  "how  justice  may 
inflict  eternal  punishment  on  obstinate  guilt.  But,  there ! 
oh!  see  there — that  sweet  face  in  agony!  Why  should 
purity  be  thus  convulsed  with  pain?  Why  should  our 
bright,  joyous,  sinless  Ella  lie  there,  while  every  feature 
and  limb  is  thrilling  and  twisting  in  spasmodic  throes?" 
Then  casting  himself  on  his  knees  before  the  attenuated 
and  convulsed  form,  he  exclaimed,  "Ella!  oh,  my  Ella! 
thy  father  would  help  where  Heaven  seems  delighting 
in  thy  pain." 

"God  is  Love,"  whispered  Mrs.  Cleveland,  in  the  clear, 
firm,  calm  tone  of  an  unalterable  Christian  faith. 

"Bless  de  Laud,"  said  Eliza,  solemnly,  as  the  blackness 
faded  from  the  face  and  the  features  became  still  in  the 
peace  of  death,  "  Hebben  hab  annuder  angul." 

Cleveland  arose  awed  into  tranquility.  There  was  a 
calm  in  his  breast  like  the  hush  which  would  follow  the 
sudden  subsidence  of»  a  cataract  whose  roar  had  been 
shaking  earth,  and  sky.  Both  parents  stood  gazing  on  the 
face  of  their  child  breathing  gentleness  sublime  in  its  re- 
pose. But  soon  the  storm  came  back  over  the  heart  of 
Cleveland.  He  turned,  and  fled  from  the  room.  As  he 
entered  his  study  he  was  startled  by  the  presence  of  two 
men,  with  whom  at  this  late  hour  he  had  an  engagement — 
forgotten  in  the  sufferings  of  the  death-room. 

"Bishop  Frances!  Father  John!"  he  exclaimed,  "par- 
don my  abruptness.    My  child  has  just  died.    Call  in  a 

few  days." 
4* 


42  THE    AMERICAN    CARDINAL. 

The  Bishop  was  a  tall,  spare,  gaunt  man,  with  high, 
narrow  forehead,  projecting  cheek  bones,  immense  aquiline 
nose,  and  a  restless,  piercing,  burning  eye.  His  jaw  and 
mouth  evinced  a  commanding  will.  His  whole  soul  was 
surrendered  to  a  single  object.  He  was  a  Jesuit,  sold  to 
the  Pope,  and  the  aim  of  his  life  was  to  subject  the  world 
to  the  Vatican.  Every  motion  of  the  man  tended  to  this 
end.  There  was  no  circumstance,  however  trivial,  in  the 
history  of  individual,  or  family,  or  neighborhood,  which 
was  not  dignified  with  solemn  importance  when  connected 
with  the  controlling  purpose  of  his  life.  All  the  resources 
of  a  vast  intellect,  vast  learning,  and  vast  energy  were 
consecrated  on  the  altar  of  the  Roman  church  and  placed 
as  absolutely  at  the  disposal  of  the  Pope  as  if  he  were  a 
visible  God.  Bishop  Frances  was  a  single,  concentrated, 
intense  purpose. 

Father  John,  on  the  other  hand,  was  a  large,  rotund, 
jolly,  joking  priest,  whose  cheeks  stood  out  with  fatness, 
and  whose  eyes  sparkled  with  good  humor,  and  whose 
heart,  fully  embracing  the  religion  of  his  ancestors,  was 
yet  divided  between  allegiance  to  His  Holiness  and  a 
desire  for  the  independence- of  Ireland.  He  was  a  con- 
stant vacillation  between  Romanism  and  Fenianism. 

The  two  priests  perceived  with  instinctive  tact  the  pecu- 
liarities of  their  position,  and  with  a  few  words  of  appro- 
priate sympathy  instantly  withdrew,  leaving  Cleveland 
standing  in  his  study,  with  his  arms  over  his  breast,  white 
as  a  marble  statue  of  despair. 

His  wife  in  the  room  above  had  just  arisen  from  the 
cold  corpse  of  her  child,  and  as  she  stood  at  the  window 
she  perceived  two  retreating  forms,  which  she  recognized 
in  the  pale  light. 

"  Oh,  God !"  she  exclaimed  with  clasped  hands  and  a 


THE    AMERICAN    CARDINAL.  43 

face  turned  upward  in  pain,  "  here  is  a  sorrow  greater  than 
death."  Turning  away  and  bending  over  the  body  of  her 
little  daughter,  she  continued,  while  the  tears  streamed 
from  her  eyes :  "  Oh,  Ella !  it  was  hard  to  see  thee  suffer- 
ing on  this  bosom  which  gave  thee  life ;  it  was  hard  to  see 
thee  choking  and  gasping  and  black  in  thy  great  anguish ; 
it  will  be  hard  to  shut  thee  away  under  the  coffin-lid,  and 
cover  thee  beneath  the  cold  earth,  and  come  from  thy 
grave  to  the  desolation  of  this  room,  where  every  object 
will  recall  thy  image.  But,  oh!  it  is  more  painful  to 
know  that  thy  father  has  kept  from  thy  mother  a  secret 
which  must  separate  our  hearts  and  lives.  I  read  his  soul 
and  his  peril." 

Mrs.  Cleveland  then  knelt  in  silent  prayer  over 
her  Ella,  and  remained  an  hour  buried  in  absorbing 
devotion.  She  arose  with  the  glow  of  calm  faith  beaming 
from  her  eyes  and  irradiating  her  face.  Her  being  was 
consecrated,  over  the  body  of  her  child,  to  the  rescue  of 
her  husband.  In  that  still  hour  and  awful  place  there 
was  a  solemn  transaction  between  her  soul  and  Heaven. 
She  was  assured  that  in  despite  of  every  Romish  subtlety 
and  appliance  Arthur  Cleveland  would  be  saved. 

The  funeral  took  place  on  the  third  day  after  the  death 
of  Ella.  Mrs.  Cleveland  indeed  wept  as  she  stood  with 
her  husband  above  the  coffin,  gazing  for  the  last  time  on 
the  hands  folded  over  the  breast  and  the  childish  face 
sweet  with  the  peace  of  Heaven.  Her  fingers  instinctively 
seized  a  half-opened  rosebud  lying  on  Ella's  bosom,  whose 
fading  leaf  resembled  the  young  life  so  prematurely  dark- 
ened. The  coffin-screw  pierced  her  heart,  and  the  clod- 
rattle  made  her  grasp  convulsively  the  hand  of  her 
daughter  who  stood  with  her  looking  into  the  fast-filling 
grave.     But  no  sorrow  was  so  agonizing  as  that  caused  by 


44  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

her  relation  to  her  husband.  Her  arm  was  leaning  on  his 
arm,  but  her  heart  could  no  longer  lean  on  his  heart.  A 
studied  concealment  had  darkened  their  lives.  The  con- 
fidence of  love  had  been  rudely  shocked.  Between 
Arthur  and  Emily  Cleveland  the  grave  of  Ella  was 
now  rather  a  barrier  than  a  bond. 


CHAPTER   V, 

THE     PERVERSION. 

A  few  days  after  the  events  recorded  in  the  last  chap- 
ter, President  Cleveland  might  have  been  seen  leaving  his 
house  in  the  dusk  of  the  evening.  His  path  lay  through 
a  beautiful  grove  of  beech  and  maple,  declining  gently 
towards  a  stream,  from  a  lovely  spot  where  the  college 
buildings,  surrounded  by  the  dwellings  of  the  professors, 
were  situated.  In  a  grassy  opening  of  the  wood  he 
encountered  Dick,  who  had  been  seized  a  second  time  in 
his  janitorial  life  with  a  fit  of  uncontrollable  laughter, 
contrasting  strangely  with  the  sombre  mood  of  the  Presi- 
dent. 

Just  before  thev  amused  Irishman  was  an  antiquated 
white  horse,  whose  tail,  with  the  surrounding  hair,  seemed 
singed  and  blackened  by  fire.  The  venerable  animal, 
now  spotted  by  age,  had  been  the  property  of  Arthur 
Cleveland's  predecessor  in  the  Presidency.  The  old  clergy- 
man, owing  to  his  popularity  and  his  position,  was  fre- 
quently called  to  funeral  services,  and  "  Gray "  was 
uniformly  driven  by  him  at  the  head  of  the  procession. 
When  the  excellent  man  himself  died,  as  his  body  was 
conveyed  in  a  hearse  to  its  resting-place,  the  faithful  horse 
was  grazing  on  the  lawn.  He  stood  for  a  moment  eyeing 
the  mournful  company,  and  then  deliberately  assuming 
his  customary  position  in  advance,  marched  in  solitary 
solemnity  to  the  open  grave.  This  act  had  touched  the 
community  and  made  the  aged  creature  a  species  of  public 

45 


46  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

property,  with  a  life  insurance.  Notwithstanding  these 
sad  associations,  he  was  the  subject  of  the  janitor's  merri- 
ment, which  thus  appeared  always  strangely  connected 
with  death  itself. 

"  "Well,  Dick,"  said  the  President,  "  what  possible  thing 
could  ever  make  you  laugk?  I  shall  expect  after  a  while 
the  graves  to  be  opening." 

"  Oh,  Mishter  President,"  replied  Dick,  taking  off  his 
hat,  and  ducking  his  head,  and  showing  teeth  white  as  his 
peeled  potatoes.  "  It's  agin  I've  clane  gone  from  mysel'. 
I  beg  yer's  pardon  for  makin  light  fornenz  yer'  grief," 

"But  Dick,  I  am  puzzled  at  this  strange  change  in 
your  conduct.     It  is  a  phenomenon  I  wish  explained." 

"  Och,  Mishter  President,  I'm  call'd  grave  Dick,  and 
grave  Dick  I  am.  The  grave  skiliton  made  me  laugh, 
and  auld  grave  Gray  makes  me  laugh,  and  well  I  git  my 
name." 

"  Go  on,  go  on,"  interrupted  Cleveland,  "  it  grows  late, 
and  I  am  in  haste." 

"See  there,  yer  honor,"  said  Dick,  pointing  to  the 
horse,  who  was  looking  with  his  head  turned  as  if  con- 
scious he  was  a  subject  of  conversation,  "  jist  that  sing'd 
tail  of  auld  Gray,  and  that  burnt  patch  of  hair  fitched 
these  same  laughs  a  risin  to  my  lips,  to  show  my  Irish 
natur,  as  you  know  the  pond,  as  green  and  still  as  Erin's 
shamrock,  has  gas  below,  when  bubbles  come  a  glitterin' 
up." 

"  But  what  possible  connection  between  those  unfortu- 
nate marks  made,  I  fear  by  fire  on  the  poor  horse,  with 
your  unusual  merriment  ?" 

"  On  my  faith,  yer  honor,  a  clare  connecshun.  And  two 
on  your  frisky  friskmens  cautched  the  crittur,  and 
haltered  him  till  night  in  yer  own  stable.     Then  jist  as 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  47 

I  was  rinning  to  pull  the  bedrbell,  they  tuk  him,  and  tied 
him  to  Profisser  Thamson's  knocker  with  some  fire- 
crackers to  his  white  tail,  and  they  fizzed,  and  they 
blizzed,  and  they  spit,  and  they' popped,  like  laughin' 
flame-imps,  and  auld  Gray  jerked,  and  the  knocker 
sthruck,  and  up  flew  the  winders,  and  the  students  poked 
out  their  noisy  heads,  and  bawled  and  yilled,  and  the 
Profisser  in  his  night-cap,  with  a  candle  in  his  hand, 
cum  to  the  doore  to  see  the  muss,  and  thin  sich  a  shoutin, 
and  screamin  was  never  heard  onny  place  only  in  Amirica. 
That  singed  tail  and  hair  jist  made  me  see  the  Profisser's 
night-cap,  and  hear  the  yellin  over  agin." 

Here  the  Janitor  could  contain  himself  no  more,  but,  as 
the  vision  passed  before  his  eyes,  he  burst  forth  in  a 
succession  of  guffaws,  for  which  he  had  to  beg  pardon  of 
the  President  with  his  awkward  Irish  politeness. 

"Well,  Dick,"  he  said  smiling,  "you  are  certainly 
excusable  for  your  merry  mood.  I  must  bid  you  good 
evening." 

He  then  passed  rapidly  on  refreshed  by  the  janitor's 
simple  hearty  amusement,  which  had  for  a  moment  made 
him  forget  his  own  dark,  and  unhappy  heart.  How 
strange  that  such  sympathy  with  the  humblest  natures  will 
often  assuage  the  sorrows  of  a  lofty  spirit  when  insensible 
alike  to  the  arguments  of  philosophy,  or  the  consolations 
of  Religion ! 

But  now  as  the  shadows  of  night  were  gathering,  Cleve- 
land hastened  forward  with  a  swifter  step.  Soon  his  tall 
form  was  moving  along  the  summit  of  the  opposite  hill. 
Descending  its  side  by  a  winding  path  he  stood  before  the 
door  of  a  house  which  rose  beneath  a  stately  Cathedral. 
One  vigorous  pull  of  the  bell,  with  its  sharp  ring,  at  once 
brought  out  a  servant. 


48  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

"Is  the  Bishop  at  home?"  was  the  impatient  inquiry. 

"He  is,  yer  rivrince,  and  expects  you  in  his  study." 

Cleveland  crossed  the  threshold  with  a  beating  heart 
and  a  timid  step.  He  felt  he  was  passing  into  a  mysterious 
domain,  from  which  return  was  difficult.  The  brogue  of 
the  servant  had  awakened  the  thought. that  Eome  was, 
after  all,  a  foreign  domination.  But  as  he  ascended  the 
stairs  he  grew  more  composed  and  determined. 

Bishop  Frances  had  heard  his  voice,  and  met  him  in 
the  upper  passage.  Smiling  and  grasping  his  hand  with 
great  warmth,  he  said: 

"  Thank  you,  President  Cleveland ;  thank  you,  for  such 
a  mark  of  your  confidence.  Nothing,  I  am  certain,  but 
an  earnest  inquiry  for  the  truth  would  have  ever  brought 
you  beneath  this  roof." 

Cleveland  returned  the  salutation  with  equal  cordiality 
and  replied,  "Indeed,  Bishop,  I  venture  everything  in 
keeping  this  engagement.  But  in  the  path  of  duty  the 
■heart  is  bold." 

"Come  in,  come  in,"  exclaimed  the  Bishop;  "here 
in  my  study,  surrounded  by  holy  books,  and  beneath 
the  spire  of  that  venerable  Church,  is  the  very  place  to 
find  the  will  of  Heaven." 

The  two  men  seated  themselves.  The  Bishop  occu- 
pied his  chair,  and  Cleveland  a  sofa.  A  few  coals  burned 
in  the  grate  to  remove  the  evening  chill,  and  dim 
shadows  rose,  and  fell  over  the  massive  volumes  which 
lined  in  rows  the  sides  of  the  room.  An  immense  silver 
crucifix  was  on  the  table.  In  carved  niches,  stood  sculp- 
tured forms  of  the  Apostles,  and  in  several  places  were 
paintings  of  angels,  and  martyrs.  More  conspicuous 
than  all  was  a  large  photograph  of  Pio  Kono,  whose 
benevolent  countenance  was  smiling  immediately  opposite 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  49 

Cleveland.  Through  the  large  window  were  visible  the 
outlines  of  the  majestic  Cathedral.  The  President  was  in 
that  nervous  state  produced  by  agonizing  sorrows  when 
his  sensibilities  were  impressible,  and  he  shrank  with  re- 
coil from  argument.  Such  being  his  condition,  under  the 
influence  of  a  superior  will,  he  seemed  a  tiny  bark 
dashing  fitfully  on  the  waves  beside  a  stately  ship,  riding 
unrocked  by  billow,  or  tempest.  The  practiced  Jesuit 
read  at  a  glance  his  mental,  and  moral  state,  and  knew 
the  stronger  his  positions  the  more  probable  his  success. 
After  a  brief  silence,  just  beginning  to  produce  embarrass- 
ment, he  commenced : 

"How  thankful  you  should  be,  Mr.  Cleveland,  that 
even  by  persecution,  and  bereavement  you  have  found 
that  your  life  has  been  a  continuous  error !" 

"  I  trust  I  am  grateful,"  he  replied,  "  for  my  illumina- 
tion. Baptized  in  the  Protestant  faith,  a  preacher  of  the 
Protestant  Gospel,  a  minister  of  Protestant  sacraments,  I 
have  ever  tossed  on  a  sea  of  doubts.  Now  Protestant 
treachery,  and  meanness  have  shown  me  that  where 
morals  are  unsound  principles  must  be  untrue.  X  need 
the  rest  of  the  true  Church." 

"By  the  grace  of  the  Saviour,  and  the  merits  of  the 
Saints,  she  has  purchased  peace  for  all  her  children.  But 
there  is  an  indispensable  condition.  Shall  I  name  it,  Mr. 
Cleveland?" 

"  Keep  nothing  in  reserve.  I  beg  you  above  all  things 
be  explicit,  and  be  decided." 

"But  perhaps,"  responded  Bishop  Frances,  "I  may 
startle  you  by  the  demand,  which  truth  makes  upon  your 
faith." 

"Never,  never,"  burst    forth   Cleveland    impetuously. 
Then  rising  to  his  feet  he  exclaimed, 
5 


50  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

"  I  have  from  my  youth  been  familiar  with  the  evi- 
dences of  the  Christian  Religion,  and  with  the  claims  of 
the  Anglican  Communion.  I  am  the  sixth  youngest  son  in 
a  line  of  Clergymen  beginning  almost  with  the  birth  of 
the  English  Prayer-Book.  I  am  tired  of  investigating, 
tired  of  doubting,  tired  of  suffering,  tired  of  earth.  I  only 
beg  for  rest." 

"Dear  friend,"  answered  the  Bishop,  "the  Church 
comes  to  you  not  with  argument,  but  with  authority.  She 
does  not  reason — she  commands.  As  the  representative 
of  Heaven,  she  has  but  one  requirement — submit.  Argue 
no  inferior  point.  The  Pope  is  the  Vicar  of  Christ.  As 
the  Head  of  our  infallible  Church,  he  must  himself  be 
infallible.  To  him  even  now  yield  your  being,  and  your 
salvation  is  more  secure  than  the  perpetuity  of  that  world 
twinkling  through  your  window.  It  will  fade  into  dark- 
ness— you  will  shine  forever." 

As  he  spoke  he  pointed  to  the  evening  star  shining 
down  on  earth  with  the  tranquility  of  heaven.  Cleveland 
lifted  his  eye,  and  caught  that  light  of  beauty.  Instantly 
his  soul  appeared  to  float  in  an  atmosphere  of  holy 
serenity.  His  whole  system,  overstrained  by  excitement 
and  sorrow,  gave  suddenly  away,  and  he  was  convulsed 
with  the  power  of  his  emotions.  Tears  which  he  had 
refused  to  drop  on  the  coffin  of  his  child  streamed  down 
upon  the  floor. 

"Oh,"  he  cried,  throwing  himself  reverently  on  his 
knees  before  the  image  of  the  Pope,  and  lifting  up  his 
eyes  and  hands,  "years  since,  I  saw  that  divine  face 
smile  from  the  throne  in  St.  Peter's  over  the  prostrate 
adoring  crowd.  Those  holy  hands  were  stretched  out  in 
blessing.    Those  sacred  lips  uttered  words  I  can  now 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  51 

recall.  The  vision  shines  through  years  with  the  radiance 
of  yon  star,  or  the  glory  of  an  angel.  I  bow  at  the  feet,  I 
then  desired  to  kiss.  I  follow  my  destiny.  I  submit 
body,  and  soul  forever." 

Cleveland  remained  long  prostrate  in  a  rapture  of 
devotion. 

The  Jesuit  stood  over  him  with  a  sly  twinkle  of  sur- 
prise in  his  eye  and  a  slight  curl  on  his  lip,  occasioned 
by  the  ease  with  which  he  had  won  a  College  President 
and  a  Doctor  of  Divinity. 

Yet,  when  Cleveland  arose,  even  after  this  burst  of 
feeling,  a  shadow  of  doubt,  like  a  cloud,  crossed  his 
soul.  The  brightest  glow  of  his  emotion  was  dimmed 
by  the  reflection  that  he  might  err  in  making  sentiment 
his  guide  instead  of  reason,  and  man  his  oracle  instead 
of  God.  Perhaps,  had  he  seen  the  expression  of  the 
Bishop,  he  would  have  been  recalled  to  his  former  faith. 
As  it  was,  he  passed  the  threshold  in  his  consciousness  a 
Papist.  Still  he  would  have  hesitated  immediately  to 
have  openly  committed  himself  to  Eome  had  not  circum- 
stances occurred  to  precipitate  his  action.  When  leaving 
the  Bishop's  house,  he  noticed  the  shadow  of  a  lurking 
man  passing  towards  the  grove.  He  perceived  that  he 
was  watched.  His  suspicions  had  been  previously  excited 
when  the  visit  was  made  to  him  in  his  own  house  on  the 
night  of  his  child's  death.  He  knew  that  his  concealment 
from  Mrs.  Cleveland  could  not  be  much  longer  main- 
tained. Every  tie  binding  him  to  the  past  seemed 
breaking.  At  last  the  conduct  of  his  former  friends,  and 
associates  became  so  marked  by  chilling,  and  embarrassing 
restraint,  that  he  felt  like  a  suspected  traitor.  His 
sensitive  nature  was  thus  constrained  to  find  relief  by  a 
decided  and  final  step.     He  was  soon  baptized  by  Bishop 


52  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

Frances.  Then,  after  his  novitiate,  amid  clouds  of 
incense,  and  peals  of  music,  and  the  blaze  of  candles, 
while  the  dim  light  of  painted  windows  solemnized  the 
pageant,  he  made  the  canonical  vows  of  faith,  and 
obedience  in  the  venerable  Cathedral,  and  became  a 
member  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church. 


CHAPTER    VI. 


WILLOW-SHADE. 


"Edward,  behold  your  destiny,"  said  Mary  Elling- 
wood,  as  she  stood  with  her  brother  on  the  piazza,  and 
held  before  him  a  letter  which  had  just  been  taken  from 
its  envelope. 

"  Why,  Mary,  what  do  you  mean  ?  "  he  replied,  coloring 
with  a  slight  embarrassment. 

"  I  mean,  brother,  you  have  made  a  great  mistake. 
When  the  rose  hangs  blushing  on  its  stem,  willing  to  be 
transferred  to  your  button-hole,  and  you  neglect  to  pluck 
it,  do  not  be  surprised  to  see  it  on  another's  breast." 

"  Explain  your  riddle,  Mary !  what  conceivable  con- 
nection is  there  between  a  rose  and  that  letter  ?  " 

"  Ah,  Ned,  prepare  for  battle !  Examine  your  sword ! 
Load  your  revolver!  You  will  have  something  to  fight 
for  besides  the  Constitution.  Your  rose  is  in  danger  as 
Well  as  the  stars  of  the  flag." 

Mary  here  shook  the  letter  playfully  in  her  brother's 
face  and  laughed  heartily  at  his  evident  confusion. 

"Your  fate,"  she  added,  "I  fear  was  sealed  when  a 
pretty  pair  of  lips  were  breathing  perfume  over  this 
envelope." 

Then  holding  the  epistle  before  him  gracefully,  and 
mischievously  between  her  delicate  thumb  and  finger,  she 
exclaimed, 

"Sea-Side,  Ned;  Sea-Side." 

Ellingwood's  face  became  red  as  the  morning  cloud  in 
5*  53 


54  THE   AMERICAN    CARDINAL. 

the  opposite  sky.  There  was  a  visible  tremulousness  in 
the  smoke-circles  as  they  curled  away  from  his  cigar  and 
floated  off  quivering  to  vanish  in  the  air.  The  wreaths 
above  him  were  evidently  multiplying  and  thickening 
with  the  intensity  of  his  feelings.  After  a  few  moments 
of  silent  thought  he  exclaimed,  with  a  sudden  burst  of 
passion  and  an  abruptness  of  manner  indicating  a  most 
resolute  purpose,  "  By  Jove,  Mary,  she  shall  be  mine !  It 
is  predestined  above.     No  man  shall  step  between  us." 

While  he  spoke  his  hand  went  down  instinctively  to 
where  he  had  for  some  weeks  been  accustomed  to  find  his 
sword-hilt. 

Mary  laughed  still  more  at  this  soldierly  explosion. 
"  Brave,  Edward ;  brave,  while  your  rival  is  a  thousand 
miles  distant.  When  you  meet  on  the  battle-field  it  will 
be  the  contact  of  billow  and  tempest !  I  tremble  when  I 
think  of  you  and  Major  Worstal, — a  magnificent  Southern 
giant — standing  eye  to  eye  and  breast  to  breast,  in  patri- 
otic contest  for  the  Rose  of  Sea-Side." 

Ellingwood  started  when  his  sister  mentioned  the  name 
of  his  rival.  "  Worstal !  Worstal !"  he  exclaimed.,  "  why 
he  is  a  country  cousin  of  Anna  Austin,  and,  if  reports  are 
true,  a  splendid  plantation  booby." 

"  Cousins,  Ned,  are  the  most  dangerous  rivals  possible. 
They  have  many  of  the  privileges  of  brothers.  How 
often  have  Anna  and  the  Major,  when  boys  and  girls,  in 
play,  whispered  their  love,  and  perhaps  stood  together  in 
mock  marriage  before  some  lad  unmentionably  surpliced  ! 
What  tender  associations  of  early  years  are  in  his  favor  I 
He  is  near  and  a  relative !  You  are  separated  by  distance 
and  by  war.  Ah !  Ned,  when  the  rose  was  in  your  power, 
on  that  auspicious  evening  after  the  Commencement,  yau 


THE    AMERICAN    CARDINAL.  55 

should  have  placed  it  on  your  bosom,  and  over  your  heart. 
I  know  that  it  was  only  awaiting  your  will." 

Ellingwood  could  endure  this  banter  no  longer.  He 
grew  red  with  absolute  vexation.  He  was  angry  with 
himself  and  angry  with  his  sister.  He  pettishly  tossed 
away  the  remnant  of  his  cigar  over  the  railing  of  the 
piazza,  and  was  reminded  of  the  awkward  confusion  in 
which  he  had  bitten  off  his  Havana  during  his  last  inter- 
view with  Anna,  and  returned  it  to  his  vest  pocket  with  a 
blundering  apology.  "  Confound  you,  Mary,"  he  said  in 
his  vexation ;  "  you  have,  yourself,  caused  all  my  troubles. 
You  and  Charles  interrupted  me  just  as  I  was  about  to 
decide  the  question  of  my  life.  Mountains  now  seem  to 
stand  between  Anna  and  myself.  But  they  shall  be  over- 
come! No  earthly  power  shall  prevent  our  union!  1 
beg  your  pardon,  sister,  for  my  rudeness." 

Mary  was  amused  rather  than  provoked  at  the  earnest- 
ness and  violence  of  Edward,  and  going  towards  him,  took 
his  hand  and  gave  him  a  kiss. 

"  Mary,"  said  her  brother,  tenderly,  "  you  are  a  teazing 
creature ;  but  the  best  girl  in  the  world — except  one." 

"And  she,"  replied  Miss  Ellingwood,  with  a  twinkle 
and  a  smile,  unable  to  resist  the  temptation,  "  is  in  a  far 
country,  surrounded  by  splendid  Confederate  gallants, 
above  whom  towers  the  epaulettes  and  plume  of  Cousin 
Hercules,  while  Edward  Ellingwood,  having  neglected  his 
opportunity,  is  fighting  to  tear  down  the  very  banner 
under  which  Anna  Austin  lives." 

"  Mary !"  burst  forth  her  brother,  "  this  is  absolutely 
unbearable.  You  are  provoking  beyond  endurance.  A 
treaty  of  peace,  sealed  by  a  kiss  from  your  own  lips,  and 
offered  by  yourself,  is  no  curb  to  your  mischief." 

While  Ellingwood  was  uttering  these  words  a  servant 


56  THE    AMERICAN    CARDINAL. 

announced  that  his  father  wished  his  presence  in  the  study- 
He  was  glad  of  an  opportunity  to  withdraw  and  hide  his 
vexation ;  while  Mary,  with  several  profound  and  graceful 
courtesies,  bowed  herself  laughing  through  the  hall. 

During  the  time  required  for  Edward  Ellingwood  to 
become  seated  by  the  Judge,  we  may  be  making  a  rapid 
survey  of  Willow-Shade. 

The  house  was  one  of  those  plain,  but  respectable,  and 
even  stately  stone  mansions  not  uncommon  in  New 
England,  and  now  seemed  invested  with  a  species  of 
autumnal  solemnity  as  it  stood  amid  an  October  haze, 
which  was  curtaining  the  earth  and  reddening  the  sun. 
A  vine  along  the  porch  was  already  dropping  down  its 
leaves  and  exposing  to  the  passer's  eye  clustering  grapes 
in  their  purple  lusciousness.  The  peach  blushed  on 
branches  partially  denuded ;  the  pear  no  longer  hid  its 
yellow  amid  the  green,  and  the  red  apple  hung  heavily  on 
its  stem.  A  late  rose  still  lifted  its  fragrant  beauty  above 
a  faded  sisterhood,  so  mournfully  indicating  its  own  decay. 
The  distant  hills  were  gorgeous  in  that  sad  glory  which 
only  makes  the  coming  ruin  more  dreary  and  more 
dreaded.  The  shy  squirrel  gambolled  fearfully  with  the 
disappearance  of  the  concealing  verdure;  and  with  the 
vanished  brilliance  of  the  sun  the  voice  of  the  dove  had 
become  increasingly  mournful.  Even  the  rivulet  stole 
sluggishly  through  the  grass  with  a  subdued  murmur,  and 
the  river  rolled  towards  the  sea  in  a  solemnized  majesty. 
Perhaps  also  the  painful  condition  of  the  country  imparted 
even  to  nature  a  deeper  tint  and  a  darker  shade.  The 
great  willows  at  the  edge  of  the  garden  waved  their  yellow 
limbs  and  leaves  with  a  species  of  sympathetic  sadness. 
Youth  only  could  experience  merriment  amid  such  scenes. 

Edward  Ellingwood  was  conscious  of  an  entire  change 


THE    AMERICAN    CARDINAL.  67 

of  feeling  when  he  passed  from  the  piazza  and  the  jests 
of  his  gay  sister  into  the  still  study  of  his  venerable  father. 
As  he  entered  the  room,  the  old  lawyer  laid  down  his  pen 
and  closed  a  volume  he  had  just  taken  from  a  shelf  of  the 
library.  Looking  on  his  son  affectionately,  he  exclaimed : 
"  Good  morning,  Edward ;  good  morning." 

The  salutation  was  returned  with  the  utmost  love  and 
reverence. 

u  Why,"  said  the  Judge,  "  how  well  your  military  coat 
becomes  you!  I  little  thought  when  I  taught  you  in 
Story,  and  Kent,  and  Marshall,  I  should  ever  see  you  in 
a  captain's  shoulder-straps  and  preparing  to  test  in  battle 
what  you  learned  in  this  old  study  of  Willow-Shade." 

"  Father,"  Edward  replied,  with  deep  emotion  and  in  a 
tone  of  manly  resoluteness,  "  what  I  received  from  your 
lips  I  trust  I  will  be  ready  to  defend  with  my  life." 

"I  know,  my  boy,"  the  Judge  said,  with  an  evident 
paternal  pride,  "  you  do  not  regard  your  uniform  as  a  silly 
miss  admires  the  last  fashion;  but  esteem  it  a  badge  of 
principles  for  which  you  are  willing  to  die." 

"  I  hope,"  responded  Edward,  "  that  I  have  pondered 
your  instructions,  and  that  I  shall  go  into  battle  knowing 
for  what  I  fight." 

"Ever  keep  in  view,"  replied  the  lawyer,  deliberately 
removing  his  spectacles  and  laying  them  down  on  the 
opened  book,  "  the  true  issue  of  this  strife.  Slavery  is  not 
the-  primary  question.  The  cannon  aimed  against  our  flag 
on  Sumter  assaulted  our  national  sovereignty.  A  people 
callous  to  the  wrongs  of  the  negro  have  arisen  to  establish 
their  unity.  The  compacts  of  the  Constitution  solemnly 
bound  us  to  respect  the  rights  of  the  South,  and  I,  and 
every  Federal  judge,  would  have  been  supported  by  the 
whole  army  of  the  Republic  in  delivering  pursued  fugi- 


58  THE    AMERICAN    CARDINAL. 

tives.  In  no  instance  has  the  nation  violated  its  pledge. 
A  war  commenced  for  the  freedom  of  the  slave  would 
itself  involve  the  principle  of  secession,  and  overthrow 
the  work  of  our  Fathers.  But  when  the  standard  of  our 
country  is  assailed  from  whatever  section,  the  President 
must  obey  his  official  oath,  and  defend,  by  sea,  and  land, 
our  integrity  and  sovereignty.  Possibly,  as  an  act  of  war, 
the  slave  may  be  proclaimed  free.  This,  however,  will  be 
only  an  incident  of  the  contest.  Always  have  in  your 
view,  the  object  for  which  you  fight,  and  your  course  will 
be  true,  and  honorable,  and  generous,  and  patriotic.  Let 
you  motto  be  'The  country,  the  whole  country,  and 
nothing  but  the  country/  " 

As  the  old  man  spoke,  his  eye  kindled,  his  countenance 
beamed,  his  lip  quivered.  He  glowed  with  that  ardent, 
yet  temperate  emotion  characterizing  cultivated  natures, 
whose  impulses  are  ever  subordinate  to  reason. 

Edward  caught  inspiration  from  his  father,  and  stood 
before  him  a  youthful  representative  of  the  genius  of  his 
country.  He  exclaimed  with  strong  feeling,  "  I  thank  you 
dear  father,  I  thank  you  a  thousand  times  for  your  wise 
instructions.  They  have  both  fortified  my  intellect,  and 
animated  my  heart.  Ever  may  the  guides  of  my  life  be 
the  Constitution  of  my  country,  and  the  Bible  of  my  God ! 
For  these  may  I  be  willing  to  shed  my  blood,  when  any 
foe,  domestic,  or  foreign,  political,  or  religious,  may  strive 
to  overthrow  the  one,  or  to  fetter  the  other." 

"  My  son,"  answered  Judge  Ellingwood,  taking  fir  m 
the  table  a  beautiful  little  silken  flag  made  by  his  daugh- 
ter, "Here  is,  in  miniature,  the  representative  of  that 
banner  which  floated  over  Washington,  and  inspired  the 
Revolution,  and  was  flung  from  Liberty  Hall  when  its 
old  bell  pealed  forth  the  first  notes  of  our  national  ex- 


THE    AMERICAN    CARDINAL.  59 

istence.  Guard  its  eagle!  Love  its  stars!  Defend  its 
folds!  Place  it  on  your  heart!  There  wear  it  during 
life!  Kneel,  Edward,  kneel!  Kiss  the  Constitution  of 
your  Country,  and  the  Bible  of  your  God,  and  vow  your- 
self for  ever  to  their  defence." 

As  he  spoke  the  noble  old  man  arose  from  his  chair. 
Although  not  tall,  his  stature  appeared  majestic.  Kis 
gray  locks  trembled  with  the  excitement  of  his  patriotic 
soul  as  they  fell  around  his  venerable  face,  and  forehead. 
He  moved  to  a  shelf  and  took  down  a?  worn  copy  of  the 
Constitution,  and  lifted  from  the  table  a  beautiful  Bible, 
and  stood  holding  the  first  in  his  left,  and  the  second  in 
his  right  hand,  the  ideal  of  a  dignified  and  commanding 
age. 

Edward  experienced  an  electric  thrill  darting  through 
his  being.  He  flung  himself  at  the  feet  of  his  father,  and 
grasping  and  kissing  in  turn  the  extended  volumes,  and 
reverently  placing  the  flag  on  his  heart,  felt  that  his  ex- 
istence was  consecrated  to  his  Country  and  his  Religion. 


CHAPTER  VIL 


SEA-SIDE 


Not  long  after  the  events  we  have  just  recorded  some 
very  different  circumstances  were  transpiring  in  a  distant 
Southern  mansion.  Two  persons  sat  on  the  broad 
verandah  by  which  it  was  surrounded.  Immense  doors 
and  windows,  communicating  with  the  adjoining  rooms, 
showed  by  their  width,  and  height,  and  numbers  an  evi- 
dent design  to  invite  the  cooling  breeze,  and  mitigate  the 
tropical  heat.  A  peculiar  languor  pervaded  nature.  The 
sun  had  passed  his  meridian  possibly  three  hours.  The 
siesta  after  an  early  dinner  was  over.  The  blaze  of  the 
sky,  however,  was  scarcely  diminished.  On  the  right,  in 
the  distance,  was  a  cypress  swamp,  above  which  rose  a 
gigantic  tree  lifting  its  branches  festooned  with  vines  to 
the  heavens,  while  towards  the  left,  through  an  avenue  of 
the  pine-forest,  might  be  seen  the  blue  ocean,  gemmed 
with  islands,  and  flashing  with  sails,  and  stretching  away 
until  it  met  the  encircling  sky.  The  oval  lemon  and  the 
round  orange  glowed  beneath  their  leaves,  and  the  fig 
stood  loaded  with  heavy  burdens.  Negroes — male,  female, 
young,  middle-aged,  old — of  every  hue  from  suspicious 
yellow  to  blackest  ebony,  and  of  every  feature,  figure, 
and  variety — under  the  shade  of  trees,  and  beneath  the 
glare  of  the  sun — lounged,  worked,  talked,  laughed, 
grinned,  crawled,  tottered — free  from  care,  and  in  the 
happy  consciousness  that  a  kind  master  was  always  con- 
sidering their  temporal,  and  their  spiritual  wants.  Every- 
60 


THE    AMERICAN    CARDINAL.  61 

thing  indicated  slavery  in  its  boasted,  peaceful,  patriarchal 
glory,  and  had  there  been  no  other  side  to  the  picture,  the- 
orists would  have  found  it  hard  to  convince  the  world 
that  the  institution  was  an  injury. 

But  we  are  chiefly  concerned  with  the  persons  on  the 
balcony.  The  lady  we  at  once  recognize  as  Miss  Anna 
Austin.  Her  cousin,  Major  Worstal,  was  the  gentleman. 
In  size  he  was  a  Hercules,  and  in  form  and  proportion 
he  had  been  manly  perfection  until  his  premature  rotun- 
dity had  become  excessive,  and  a  repulsive  beefiness 
monopolized  his  hands  and  cheeks  and  neck.  Still  his 
great  strength  and  stature  gave  him  even  yet  a  certain 
majesty.  A  stranger  introduced  into  his  presence  would 
have  felt  a  species  of  awe,  if  risibility  were  not  excited  by 
the  rapidity  of  his  motions  wBile  engaged  in  the  very 
feminine  occupation  of  fanning  his  oily  face.  Streaming 
with  perspiration,  he  was  looking  down  love  on  his  fair 
cousin  from  two  small  animal  eyes. 

"  Anna,"  he  said,  while  puffing  and  panting  and  fan- 
ning with  an  embarrassed  violence,  "  I  have  received  an 
order  from  my  Colonel,  and  I  must  leave  within  an  hour 
through  this  infernal  heat.  Can  I  see  you  a  few  minutes 
alone?" 

"  Why,  Cousin  Henry,"  she  replied,  "  are  we  not  alone 
on  the  verandah  ?" 

"Alone,"  he  rejoined,  somewhat  peevishly,  and  making 
more  vigorous  his  exertions  to  keep  cool.  "  Alone,  with 
Charley  there  smoking  under  that  tree !  the  General  in 
yon  door  reading  his  paper,  and  twenty  niggers  peeping 
and  listening  about !" 

"  But  speak  low,  Henry,  speak  low,  and  I  will  promise 
to  hear  every  word  of  your  important  communication." 

"  My  voice,  you  know,  cousin,  is  like  a  conch-shell,  with 
6 


62  THE   AMERICAN    CARDINAL. 

only  one  note,  and  that  loud  enough  to  rouse  all  the  lazy- 
black  devils  on  a  plantation." 

"Well,  what  do  you  propose?"  inquired  Anna,  laugh- 
ing. 

"Let  us  go  down,"  he  said,  rising  from  his  chair,  and 
moving  his  fan  with  a  furious  rapidity,  "  to  the  ocean- 
seat." 

"  You  do  not  seriously  ask  me,"  exclaimed  Anna,  in 
assumed  alarm,  "  to  expose  my  complexion  and  my  life  in 
the  blaze  of  such  a  sun  ?  Why,  Jim  and  Jumbo  would 
scarcely  dare  such  a  peril." 

The  Major,  however,  insisted,  and  would  take  no  ex- 
cuse. He  had  from  childhood  regarded  Anna  as  his 
future  wife.  He  had  taken  it  for  granted  that  she  would 
be  the  presiding  mistress  of  his  great  desolate  mansion. 
He  had  never  until  lately  conceived  that  a  rival  would 
cross  his  path.  But  the  war  had  excited  in  his  breast  un- 
expected anxieties.  General  Brompton's  house  was  now 
often  filled  with  gay,  dashing,  splendid  Confederate  offi- 
cers, and  the  brilliant  scarfs,  and  the  gilded  epaulettes 
were  disturbing  his  old  confidence.  He  had  repeatedly 
broken  down  in  the  effort  to  declare  himself.  Now,  how- 
ever, his  apprehensions  forced  him  to  decide  the  question, 
and  he  had  only  one  burning  hour  to  spare.  Nothing 
could  have  been  more  absurdly  unpropitious  than  the 
amusing  spectacle  of  his  cousin  and  himself,  moving  arm- 
in-arm  beneath  a  huge  umbrella,  and  amid  such  a  blaze, 
to  such  a  place,  and  for  such  a  purpose.  Arrived  at  the 
spot  the  difficulties  were  not  diminished,  and  their  exact 
measure  was  given  by  the  accelerated  violence  of  the  fan. 
The  situation  of  Miss  Anna  was  by  no  means  agreeable. 
But  what  surpasses  the  endurance  of  woman !  Nothing  in 
love  is  so  embarrassing  as  premeditation,  and  the  Major 


THE    AMERICAN    CARDINAL.  63 

had  neither  volubility  nor  confidence  to  spare.     He  soon 
became  red  with  heat,  and  red  with  confusion. 

"Anna,  dear  Cousin  Anna,"  he  stammered  in  an  amu- 
sing bewilderment,  "  you  know  what  I  mean." 

"  And  I  know,  Henry,"  she  answered,  playfully,  "  what 
that  dreadful  sun  means.  How  the  perspiration  streams 
from  your  face !  " 

The  Major  bent  over,  seized  her  hand  tenderly  in  his 
great  fingers,  looked  upon  her  softly  from  his  diminutive 
eyes,  brought  near  her  cheek  his  huge,  hot,  beefy  face, 
and  was  summoning  all  his  energies  to  make  her  the 
mistress  of  his  heart,  and  life,  and  home,  when  a  mischie- 
vous, ragged  negro-urchin,  who  had  been  peeping,  and 
grinning  in  a  thicket,  climbed  a  neighboring  tree  like  a 
monkey,  and  sat  peering  down  from  a  branch  with  impish 
gaze.  At  the  same  moment  there  was  the  shrill  crow  of 
a  cock,  and  the  loud  bray  of  a  donkey.  Apollo  could 
never  have  overcome  such  obstacles. 

Miss  Austin,  rising  hastily,  said:  "Cousin  Henry,  the 
General  and  Charles  are  standing  on  the  verandah  and 
beckoning  our  return.     We  had  better  go." 

Worstal  was  thus  saved  the  mortification  of  a  refusal, 
and  was  as  much  relieved  as  Anna  to  be  extricated  from 
an  awkward  position.  When  they  reached  the  house,  the 
Major's  horse,  held  by  a  negro,  stood  saddled  for  his  mas- 
ter. Worstal  drew  on  an  immense  pair  of  gloves,  took 
his  whip,  drank  a  stiff  glass  of  brandy,  and  mounted. 
The  moment  he  touched  the  animal  he  was  transformed. 
Instantly  the  dejection  caused  by  his  discomfiture  van- 
ished. Fire  came  back  to  his  eye.  His  form  dilated  into 
grace  and  dignity.  His  head  sat  proudly,  and  even 
nobly  on  his  neck.    On  his  beautiful  horse  pawing  and 


64  THE    AMERICAN    CARDINAL. 

prancing,  with  curved  neck,  and  expanded  nostril,  and 
flashing  eye,  he  seemed  an  equestrian  god. 

General  Brompton,  standing  on  the  second  step  of  the 
verandah,  with  Anna  and  Charles  above  him,  said,  "  Ma- 
jor, you  must  pardon  my  apparent  urgency  in  hastening 
your  departure.  I  knew  your  command  was  peremp- 
tory, and  perceiving  that  you  had  forgotten  the  time,  I 
ventured  to  order  your  horse,  and  beckon  you  to  the 
house." 

"I  thank  you,  uncle,"  he  answered,  "for  your  thought- 
fulness.  Minerva  will  soon  make  up  my  lost  time,  You 
see  she  is  full  of  lightning  this  afternoon." 

"And  now,"  returned  the  General,  "I  have  such  confi- 
dence in  her  heels  and  fire,  I  shall  detain  you  by  saying 
what  I  was  about  to  urge  on  Charles,  just  as  you  came 
with  Anna  on  the  verandah." 

"  Speak,"  he  replied,  "  as  long  as  you  would  to  a  coun- 
try jury  or  the  Georgia  Legislature,"  and  then  pointing 
to  his  splendid  mare  with  a  proud  glance  downward,  he 
added,  "  here  is  security  in  flesh  and  flame  that  my  order 
will  not  be  violated." 

The  General  drew  himself  up  on  the  step  very  much 
with  the  air  of  a  Judge  looking  down  from  his  bench 
with  satisfied  dignity  before  commencing  his  charge. 

"  Young  men,"  he  began,  "  I  perceive  the  South  is  about 
to  misunderstand  the  entire  principle  involved  in  this 
war.  Philosophically  it  may  be  a  contest  of  antagonistic 
races,  but  practically  it  is  a  conflict  of  constitutional  inter- 
pretation.    Slavery  is  a  mere  incident  in  the  struggle." 

Charles  Austin  looked  delighted,  and  Major  AVorstal 
looked  disgusted,  and  Anna  looked  amused  as  she  com- 
pared the  different  expressions  of  her  cousin  and  her 
brother.    The  former  drew  his  legs  close  under  his  horse's 


THE    AMERICAN    CARDINAL.  65 

body,  as  if  about  to  spur  away  in  his  surprise,  and  cha- 
grin, and  roared  out,  "General,  I  fight  for  the  nigger,  and 
to  carry  slavery  into  that  hell  of  a  New  England,  and  to 
kill  or  cure  its  infernal  abolition  Yankees." 

As  his  mare  pawed  and  snorted  beneath  his  gigantic 
form,  he  added,  with  a  fierce  laugh,  "I  have  trained 
Minerva  so  well  that  she  is  mad  when  she  hears  about  a 
nigger,  or  a  Yankee." 

General  Brompton  would  not  have  expended  more 
breath  in  his  argument  had  the  Major  been  the  only  per- 
son in  his  audience.  He  had,  however,  Charles  Austin  in 
his  view,  and  knew  how  important  it  was  to  impress,  at 
this  exciting  crisis,  on  his  susceptible  and  superior  mind, 
principles  he  had  been  taught  from  his  youth. 

"  I  know,  Henry,"  he  resumed,  "  that  your  opinion  pre- 
vails through  the  South.  But  do  we  not  degrade  our- 
selves to  fight  for  negroes  and  cotton-bales  ?  Are  not  our 
rights  secure  by  our  constitutional  compromises  ?  Can  we 
justify  war  by  mere  antagonism  of  blood  ?  No,  the  ques- 
tion, as  Mr.  Calhoun  taught,  is  one  of  liberty.  We  fight 
to  establish  the  freedom  of  a  sovereign  State  by  her  sove- 
reign act  to  secede  at  her  sovereign  pleasure.  On  no  other 
principle  can  we  defend  the  confederacy." 

"  Thank  you,  uncle,"  exclaimed  Charles  Austin,  while 
his  body  and  soul  kindled  with  that  oratorical  fire  whose 
sparks  had  flashed  his  audience  into  flame  when  we  heard 
him  on  the  platform  of  the  commencement,  "  thank  you, 
uncle,"  he  repeated  with  glowing  earnestness,  "  I  should 
think  myself  degraded  to  fight  merely  for  the  chains  of 
the  slave,  or  the  conquest  of  the  North,  where  I  have  seen 
so  much  to  admire  and  love.  But  I  exult  to  cast  myself 
on  the  altar  of  my  State,  and  give  my  blood  for  her 
glory." 

6* 


66  THE    AMERICAN    CARDINAL. 

"  Charles,"  answered  General  Brompton,  with  a  pleased 
smile  of  satisfaction,  "  for  this  I  have  educated  you  from 
childhood.  I  surrender  you  to  Georgia.  God  bless  her 
sovereign  star !" 

"Worstal  could  not  comprehend  the  argument,  but  he- 
caught  the  enthusiasm.  Sitting  loftily  on  Minerva,  now 
almost  frantic  with  the  contagious  excitement,  he  waved 
his  cap,  shouting,  "  Hurrah  for  Georgia !"  The  Genera  i 
and  Austin  joined  the  cry,  exclaiming,  "  Hurrah  for 
Georgia !"  Negroes,  great  and  and  small,  young  and  old, 
male  and  female,  of  every  shade,  form,  and  dignity,  in 
bass,  treble,  and  tenor,  with  waving  hands  and  shining 
ivory,  yelled,  "  Hurrah  for  Georgia !"  The  slave  in  cot- 
ton-field, rice-field,  and  sugar-field,  catching  the  sound, 
and  pausing  over  his  hoe,  repeated  the  words,  until  far 
and  near,  from  earth  to  sky,  swelled  the  shout,  "  Hurrah 
for  Georgia."     Here  was  struck  the  key-note  of  secession. 

Sweet  Anna  Austin,  whose  gentle  nature  living  in 
the  higher  world  of  the  affections,  knew  nothing,  and 
cared  nothing  for  the  political  principle,  yet,  amused  with 
the  spectacle,  as  the  notes  were  dying  away  in  the  dis- 
tance, took  off  her  hat,  trimmed  with  a  Northern  rose, 
and  waving  it  gracefully  over  her  head,  said,  merrily,  and 
musically,  "Hurrah  for  Georgia."  Worstal,  now  mad 
with  brandy,  and  excitement,  put  spur  and  whip  to 
Minerva  equally  frenzied,  and  saying  farewell,  dashed 
wildly  forward,  with  his  trumpet-voice  yelling  for  miles 
"Hurrah  for  Georgia,"  while  he,  and  his  mare,  seemed 
one  flying  fiend  rushing  over  earth  with  the  tavoc-notes 
of  war. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


THE   DISPENSATION. 


Arthur  Cleveland,  by  his  sudden  defection,  had 
certainly  made  himself  liable  to  the  suspicion  of  weak- 
ness and  of  perfidy.  Yet  he  believed  himself  sincere. 
His  was  in  truth  an  undeveloped  nature.  No  early  strug- 
gles had  ever  awakened  in  him  a  true  manhood.  He  was 
merely  a  spoiled  child  of  wealth.  In  his  soul  was  a  con- 
cealed mine  of  genius,  and  of  power,  whose  treasures 
coming  years  might  expose.  Life's  ordinary  trials,  which 
in  hardy  natures  would  have  provoked  amusement,  or 
resistance,  were  by  him  magnified  into  peculiar  sufferings. 
He  had  great  capacity  to  acquire,  and  little  ability  to 
apply.  His  erudition  was  always  overmastering  his  logic, 
and  oppressing  his  common  sense,  so  that  he  was  a 
dreamy  clerical  scholar.  At  College  he  had  been  re- 
markable in  the  languages,  and  brilliant  in  his  essays,  but 
lame  in  Mathematics,  and  confused  in  Metaphysics.  As 
a  Professor  he  had  been  a  good  instructor,  and  a  bad  dis- 
ciplinarian. While  President  he  was  popular  with  boys, 
and  unpopular  with  men.  A  certain  effeminacy  of  ap- 
pearance, and  mind  was  destined  to  be  visible  even  under 
his  gray  hairs  unless  struggle  finally  gave  vigor  to  his 
will,  and  power  to  his  face.  A  few  years  in  the  manly 
study  and  practice  of  the  Law,  before  he  became  a 
Clergyman,  would  probably  have  placed  him  beyond  the 
arts  of  the  Jesuit.  Beneath  his  entire  character  was  also 
a  latent  ambition  burning  like  fire,  yet  disguised  by  the 

67 


68  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

habitual,  and  unconscious  sanctimoniousness  to  which  he 
was  liable  from  his  ministerial  position.  He  resembled  a 
carved  and  gilded  yacht,  navigated  by  confident  amateurs, 
and  circling  ignorantly  about  the  expecting  whirlpool. 

Bishop  Frances  read  his  man  with  the  glance  of 
priestly  intuition.  He  had  known  him  for  years  better 
than  he  was  known  to  himself  or  his  friends.  These  sug- 
gestions will  exjriain  a  conversation  between  the  Jesuit 
and  his  pervert,  as  they  sat  together  in  a  grove  just  before 
the  Cathedral. 

"  Mr.  Cleveland,"  said  the  Bishop,  fixing  on  him  a  pair 
of  black,  glittering,  fascinating  eyes,  and  speaking  in  a 
low,  earnest  voice,  "  there  is  a  vast  field  before  you  in  this 
country.     Your  usefulness  may  be  without  limit." 

"O,  my  best  friend,"  he  replied,  "all  my  aspirations 
have  vanished.  My  only  desire  is  to  serve  the  Church  as 
an  obscure  and  humble  layman." 

"But,"  returned  the  Bishop,  "you  have  no  right  to 
bury  your  talent.  A  great  work  is  to  be  achieved  in 
America  among  the  more  cultivated  classes.  Your 
genius,  your  learning,  your  social  position,  your  wealth, 
all  mark  you  as  the  man  to.  win  and  mould  numbers 
within  the  influence  of  no  other." 

"You  forget,  however,  that  barred  forever  from  the 
Priesthood  by  my  marriage,  it  is  impossible  for  me  to 
move  in  a  large  sphere." 

"Ah!  Mr.  Cleveland,"  said  Bishop  Frances,  with  a  most 
mysterious  and  significant  expression,  "  I  have  a  plan,  sir, 
I  have  a  plan.  The  Church  shall  never  lose  such  distin- 
guished gifts.  Will  you  not  promise  to  commit  yourself 
to  my  disposal  ?" 

"I  am  infinitely  indebted  to  you  as  my  guide  and 
father,  and  I  willingly  will  submit  to  your  advice." 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  69 

"  And  now,"  replied  the  Bishop,  "  study  the  English 
movement !  Especially  consider  two  types !  Professor 
Oldman  will  never  accept  the  Roman  Church.  He  is 
restless,  and  therefore  useless.  His  apologies  are  more  for 
himself  than  for  others.  We  can  never  safely  employ  a 
tool,  however  valuable,  which  may  at  any  moment  fly  off, 
and  cut  our  own  fingers.  But  Archbishop  Planning  has 
submitted  wholly.  He  will  be  the  staunchest  advocate  of 
Papal  Infallibility.  His  knowledge  of  Anglicanism  and 
Anglicans  has  been  a  golden  treasure  to  the  Church. 
Strong  himself,  he  persuades  others.  Unqualified  surren- 
der is  the  secret  of  his  magic  power.  Hence  rectors,  pro- 
fessors, doctors,  nobles  and  their  wives,  their  children, 
their  titles,  their  estates,  have  followed  him  to  Rome." 

"  Bishop  Frances,"  quickly  interposed  Cleveland,  "  you 
amaze  and  startle  me.  I  have  never  conceived  of  exerting 
such  an  influence.  Why  do  you  present  before  me  an  ex- 
ample, when  the  obstacles  to  my  imitation  are  eternally 
insuperable  ?" 

"  Leave  yourself  with  me,  Mr.  Cleveland,  leave  your- 
self with  me,"  rejoined  the  Bishop,  taking  him  by  the 
hand,  and  looking  on  him  with  a  paternal  smile.  "  The 
Church  in  America  is  to  be  shaped  for  all  future 
time.  Before  many  years  a  Cardinal  will  be  required. 
Of  course,  as  the  Pope  has  the  tiara  because  he  has  the 
mitre,  he  must  cling  to  his  Bishopric.  Besides,  we  need 
the  prestige  of  the  Eternal  City,  the  splendors  of  the  Vati- 
can, and  the  magnificence  of  St.  Peter's.  But  storms  are 
rising,  my  dear  friend,  storms  are  rising,  thrones  are  trem- 
bling, the  liberals  are  multiplying,  and  his  Holiness  may 
yet  seek  a  refuge  in  America.  With  such  possibilities 
in  the  future,  there  can  be  no  bounds,  no  bounds  what- 
ever, to  your  influence.    Plant  yourself  firmly  and  forever 


70  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

on  the  Papal  Infallibility,  and  I  predict  for  you  a  career 
of  unsurpassed  brilliancy." 

Cleveland  was  fascinated  into  silence  by  the  tone,  and 
manner,  and  suggestions  of  Frances.  A  new  world  was 
opened  in  his  heart.  Glittering  visions  for  a  moment 
rushed  dazzling  over  his  soul.  He  saw,  as  never  before, 
the  strength  of  his  own  ambition,  and  trembled  with 
alarm.  Looking  imploringly  towards  his  adviser,  he  ex- 
claimed, "Bishop,  my  dear  Bishop,  I  beseech  you,  drop 
this  subject,  and  let  it  never  be  resumed.  It  will  be  my 
single  aim  as  a  simple  laic  always  to  humbly  labor  for  the 
Church  in  the  most  retired  sphere.  Never,  I  pray  you, 
never  place  before  me  any  position  of  exalted  influence." 

"  You  have  agreed,"  he  replied,  "  to  submit  to  my  ad- 
vice. I  will  venture  one  suggestion  on  a  delicate  subject. 
There  can  be  no  distinguished  usefulness  without  distin- 
guished holiness,  and  no  distinguished  holiness  without 
distinguished  self-denial.  Guard  your  relations  with  Mrs. 
Cleveland !  Uxoriousness  is  the  curse  of  piety.  Woman 
blasted  Eden." 

Cleveland  felt  his  natural  paleness  flushing  into  scarlet, 
and  was  about  replying  in  a  state  of  the  most  intense  ex- 
citement, when  Bishop  Frances  again  seizing  his  hand 
caressingly,  and  dropping  his  voice  to  an  affectionate 
whisper,  anticipated  him,  and  said,  "  Let  me  add  one  word 
more  of  counsel.  Write  a  book,  Mr.  Cleveland,  write  a 
book.  Declare  your  conversion  before  the  world.  St. 
Paul  obtained  strength  when  he  proclaimed  to  people  and 
kings  the  miracle  of  his  change." 

"  But  how  is  it  possible  for  a  mere  neophyte  to  discuss 
questions  which  require  the  labored  investigations  of 
years,  and  which  a  life-time  can  scarcely  comprehend? 
You  urge  me  to  a  task  wholly  beyond  my  ability." 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  71 

"Seek  the  grace  of  Mary,"  answered  the  Bishop.  "I 
will  give  you  every  needed  assistance,  and  with  the 
sanction  of  his  Holiness,  you  may  help  the  Church  and 
advance  yourself." 

The  resistance  of  Cleveland  was  easily  and  speedily 
overcome.  He  had  abandoned  a  brilliant  position,  where, 
as  a  Clergynan,  he  had  been  always  in  the  public  eye, 
while  the  Presidency  of  a  college  greatly  widened  the  cir- 
cle of  his  influence.  It  had  been  with  a  severe  struggle 
that  he  resolved  to  abandon  his  honors,  and  be  contented 
in  an  unnoticed  private  sphere.  His  latent  ambition  was 
soon  excited  by  the  suggestions  of  one  to  whom  he  felt  so 
much  indebted,  and  aspiration  was  disguised  under  the 
plea  of  duty.  As  his  conversion  had  attracted  universal 
attention  his  book  would  be  assured  of  circulation,  and 
promote  his  reputation.  The  volume  was  prepared  with 
a  rapidity  which  seemed  marvelous,  and  almost  amusing 
when  the  magnitude  of  the  topics  was  contrasted  with  the 
recency  of  his  change.  However,  Frances  furnished  the 
learning,  and  the  argument,  and  Cleveland  the  style,  and 
the  enthusiasm.  But  if  the  book  was  suited  rather  for 
weaklings  than  for  scholars,  it  accomplished  the  purpose 
of  the  Bishop  by  erecting  behind  his  disciple  a  barrier  to 
prevent  his  return.  It  charged  that  Protestantism  was 
deficient  not  only  in  faith,  but  in  morals,  and  defended 
Popish  superstitions,  Popish  corruptions,  Popish  usurpa- 
tions, Popish  miracles,  Popish  persecutions,  and  of  course, 
as  the  fountain  of  all,  Popish  infallibility. 

Mrs.  Cleveland  was  deeply  tried.  As  she  sat  one  even- 
ing with  her  daughter  on  her  knee,  and  her  husband  by 
her  side,  she  said,  "  Heaven  forbid,  my  dear  Arthur,  that 
I  should  fetter  your  opinions,  or  obstruct  your  course. 
But  I  must  tell  you  that  certain  assertions  of  your  book 


72  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

have  caused  me  great  pain.  I  never  intend  discussing 
the  questions  which  now  separate  us,  and  yet  I  cannot 
help  asking,  whether,  when  you  assert  that  Protestantism 
is  devoid  of  morals,  you  do  not  stain  your  own  father, 
your  mother,  your  brothers,  your  sisters,  your  associates, 
your  friends,  your  very  ancestors, — nay,  me,  your  wife? 
Surely  you  know  that  the  law  of  God  is  the  rule  of  our 
lives,  however  imperfect  we  confess  its  observance ! " 

Cleveland  blushed  in  painful  confusion,  and  answered 
earnestly,  and  quickly,  "I  implore  you,  Emily,  to  re- 
member that  I  refer  to  the  tendency  of  a  system,  and  not 
to  the  character  of  individuals.  Before  heaven  and 
earth  I  assert  the  purity  and  sincerity  of  my  Protestant 
friends." 

"Enough,  enough,  my  own  husband,"  said  Mrs.  Cleve- 
land in  a  tone  of  the  most  affectionate  tenderness,  "I 
accept  your  explanation,  however  I  may  esteem  your 
logic.  Oh,  may  nothing  ever  divide  our  hearts!  Our 
early  love,  our  marriage  vow,  the  altar  which  witnessed 
our  union,  our  Ella's  grave,  this  dear  child's  future, 
our  happy  home — how  many  ties  sacred,  and  enduring 
bind  us  together ! "  "While  she  spoke,  her  voice,  became 
tremulous,  and  tears  gushed  over  her  cheeks. 

Cleveland  stooped,  and  tenderly  kissed  away  the  drops, 
and  assured  his  wife  of  his  continued  and  increasing  love, 
while  Ada,  throwing  her  arms  around  both  her  parents, 
and  then  stroking  their  faces  with  her  little  fingers,  wept 
in  childish  sympathy.  The  moon  looked  coldly  on  that 
family  group  as  she  has  on  many  similar  scenes  during 
the  ages  when  every  suffering  of  the  human  heart  and 
every  interest  of  human  life  united  to  invoke  a  warm 
and  tender  glance.  Even  the  stars  shed  down  a  chilling 
lustre. 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  72> 

Notwithstanding  the  affections  which  had  thus  been 
elicited,  Cleveland  was  far  from  satisfied  with  his  present 
position.  Indeed  it  was  fast  becoming  to  him  insupporta- 
ble. He  had  now  resigned  his  collegiate  position.  His 
book  arose  like  a  wall  to  bar  return  to  his  former  faith. 
His  future  stretched  before  him  a  wide,  wild,  uncertain 
sea.  While  attached  to  his  wife,  he  felt  daily  more  and 
more  the  embarrassments  and  complications  of  his  life. 

The  Bishop  had  foreseen  his  involvements,  and  long 
before  prepared  a  method  of  extrication.  When  they 
were  once  together  in  the  study  which  had  witnessed 
his  conversion,  he  said  blandly  to  his  friend  after  a  long 
conversation,  "My  dear  President,"  as  he  still  often 
called  him,  "have  you  ever  considered  that  the  cause  of 
the  marvellous  successes  of  Home  is  not  so  much  the  in- 
fallibility of  her  faith  as  the  wisdom  of  her  policy?" 

"You  surprise  me!"  returned  Cleveland,  "I  had  sup- 
posed her  triumph  was  that  of  truth  imder  the  Divine 
blessing." 

"Of  course,"  answered  the  Bishop,  smiling,  "in  the 
largest  sense  you  are  correct,  and  yet  in  another  view  her 
victories  are  traceable  to  the  celibacy  of  her  Clergy.  You 
see,"  he  added  laughing,  "how  woman  always  appears 
as  a  disturbing  element.  Her  evil  did  not  end  with  Para- 
dise." 

"I  confess,"  replied  Cleveland,  looking  uneasy,  and  in- 
credulous, "  between  the  result  and  the  cause  you  assign 
I  perceive  but  little  connection." 

"Ah!"  continued  the  Bishop,  with  a  low  significant 
chuckle,  "  I  must  express  in  turn  my  amazement  at  your 
philosophic  obtuseness.  Possibly  I  may  be  chargeable  on 
this- point  with  the  prejudices  of  a  celibate.  But  hear 
me  patiently  for  a  single  moment.  Look  at  a  Protestant 
•    7 


74  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

Parson  in  a  wealthy  metropolitan  Parish!  He  has  a 
fashionable  wife,  and  children  innumerable.  He  must 
live  on  a  principal  avenue  in  palatial  splendor.  He  must 
have  a  costly  equipage,  and  establish  his  sons,  and  marry 
his  daughters.  All  this  demands  a  large  revenue,  which 
in  a  few  years  would  build  an  asylum,  endow  a  college, 
erect  a  church.  Popular  gifts  must,  of  course,  be  secured 
to  rent  pews  so  that  the  salary  may  be  paid,  and  mortga- 
ges be  satisfied.  Hence  we  have  that  law  of  demand  and 
supply — so  much  eloquence  for  so  much  money — which 
blasts  Protestantism  by  converting  its  worship  into  a 
mere  rhetorical  attraction.  On  the  contrary  we  Catholic 
Priests  with  our  small  compensation,  expend  on  the 
Church  what  these  Preachers  lavish  on  their  families. 
Have  I  proved  my  point,  Mr.  President?"  he  concluded 
with  an  air  of  conscious  triumph. 

"  I  admit,"  responded  Cleveland,  "  the  correctness  of 
your  conclusions.  I  had  supposed  that  the  power  of  our 
celibate  Clergy  was  simply  in  their  privilege  of  single 
devotion  to  the  Holy  Church ;  I  now  perceive  that  the 
money-question  underlies  everything." 

"True,  true,"  answered  the  Bishop  gravely,  "money 
moves  the  world,  money  alleviates  Purgatory,  money 
opens  Heaven.  However,  the  consideration  you  urge  is 
doubtless  the  one  chiefly  designed  by  the  Church.  Celi- 
bacy, by  the  suppression  of  the  strongest  passion  of 
human  nature,  and  the  opportunity  it  affords  for  medita- 
tion and  labor,  has  given  her  the  most  devoted  servants, 
and  the  world  its  most  shining  possible  examples  of  piety. 
I  know  of  but  one  grace  superior  to  it." 

"Superior!"  exclaimed  Cleveland,  "superior!  Certainly 
nothing  can  be  above  the  state  of  our  Lord,  and  his 
Apostles.    Explain  yourself,  my  dear  Bishop !" 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  75 

"  I  hesitate,"  he  replied.  The  subject  has  often  occu- 
pied my  thoughts,  and  yet  1  fear  that  delicacy  forbids  me 
even  whispering  it  in  your  ears." 

"You  excite  both  my  surprise  and  my  curiosity," 
Cleveland  answered,  while  his  kindling  face  and  eye 
showed  the  truth  of  his  words-. 

Frances  seemed  to  hesitate,  as  if  alarmed  at  the  conse- 
quences of  what  he  had  suggested.  He  placed  his  hands 
softly  on  the  shoulders  of  Cleveland,  and  looking  into  his 
face  with  two  dark  magic  eyes,  he  said  in  a  mysterious 
tone,  "  My  dear  friend,  we  had  better  leave  this  subject.  I 
cannot  incur  the  responsibility." 

"  Speak,  Bishop,  speak,"  burst  forth  Cleveland  impul- 
sively. "  Do  you  think  I  am  a  child  ?  Be  frank,  and  I 
will  take  the  blame." 

"Well,"  returned  Frances,  continuing  his  posture,  and 
resuming  his  tone,  "remember  now  and  always  that  you 
forced  my  opinion  from  my  lips.  However,  as  I  speak  in 
the  abstract  I  may  comply  with  your  request."  He  then 
looked  still  more  earnestly  on  his  disciple,  and  said  with 
a  slow,  hesitating,  and  almost  painful  deliberation  and 
emphasis,  "  That  man,  in  my  estimation,  who,  having 
lived  amid  the  joys  of  the  married  state,  abandons  the 
nectar  of  Eden  for  the  good  of  the  Church,  merits  a 
glory  only  inferior  to  that  of  Apostles,  and  certainly 
equal  to  that  of  Martyrs." 

Cleveland  started  as  if  a  galvanic  battery  had  shocked 
his  system.  He  bounded  from  his  chair.  He  stood  before 
Frances.  Trembling  with  surprise  and  agony,  he  con- 
fronted those  cold,  fixed,  snaky  eyes.  "  Bishop,"  he  cried 
with  the  most  vehement  passion,  "Bishop,  you  cannot, 
you  dare  not  mean  this  hint  for  me.  You  would  not 
cruelly  rend  the  tie  which  binds  me  to  my  wife,  whom  I 
have  vowed  to  love  and  cherish." 


76  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

"  I  need  not  remind  Mr.  Cleveland,"  he  replied,  with  a 
steady  voice,  and  gaze,  "that  the  Church  regards  as  void 
a  marriage  where  the  service  is  performed  by  any  but  her 
own  Priests.  In  all  such  cases  a  Papal  dispensation  is.  a 
policy  rather  than  a  necessity.  Nor  would  I  advise  you 
to  apply  for  a  favor  so  distinguished,  as  it  might  be  re- 
fused. Still  it  would  delight  me  to  hear  you  from  our 
Pulpits,  and  to  see  you  minister  at  our  Altars.  Be  seated, 
my  dear  friend.  Compose  your  nerves,  and  I  shall  never 
again  repeat  the  suggestion." 

Cleveland  obeyed  with  the  movement  of  an  automaton. 
He  was  under  the  spell  of  a  superior  will — a  fly  strug- 
gling in  the  net  of  the  spider.  Nothing  more  was  ever 
advanced  by  his  subtle  adviser  on  the  subject,  and 
nothing  more  was  ever  necessary.  A  seed  had  been 
dropped  into  a  prepared  soil,  and  the  penetrating  Jesuit 
knew  that  it  would  silently  grow  without  further  assis- 
tance. 

Cleveland  returned  to  his  home  another  man.  His  wife 
perceived  the  change,  although  she  knew  not  the  cause, 
and  made  no  remark.  When  her  face  was  averted  he 
often  gazed  on  her  with  an  ineffable  sorrow.  For  days 
the  sight  of  his  Ada  always  moved  a  tear.  Often  he 
found  himself  caressing  those  he  loved  with  an  anguish  of 
affection.  He  knew  that  he  was  about  to  break  the  heart 
of  his  wife,  to  darken  the  prospect  of  his  daughter,  to 
cloud  the  joy  of  his  home.  Yet,  wherever  he  went,  the 
phantom  of  a  Papal  dispensation  followed.  It  colored 
his  thoughts,  and  filled  his  dreams.  His  desire  to  preach, 
his  preference  for  clerical  habits,  his  yearning  for  public 
position,  together  with  a  mingled  ambition  for  distin- 
guished holiness  and  distinguished  station  rushed  over  his 
soul  like  a  -march  of  successive  tempests.    The  wretch 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  77 

sometimes  abandoned  his  dwelling,  and  then  returned, 
lingering  around  it,  yet  unable  to  enter.  He  would  stand 
concealed  gazing  through  the  window  long  and  intensely 
on  the  sweet  face  of  his  Ada,  and  her  blue  eye  and  her 
golden  hair,  and  as  he  looked  entranced  on  the  noble 
countenance  and  matronly  form  of  his  beautiful  Emily,  he 
shook  with  the  struggles  of  his  breast.  He  became  in  ap- 
pearance a  shadow. 

One  night  he  started  from  his  sleep  in  horror,  having 
dreamed  that  he  was  sailing  over  a  sea  of  fire,  on  a  phan- 
tom ship,  whose  sailors  were  ghosts,  while  grinning  spec- 
tres on  the  flames  flew  beckoning  onward  to  a  blazing 
whirlpool.  Frantically  embracing  his  wife  he  kissed  her 
in  a  frenzy  of  love.  When  asked  the  cause  of  his  alarm, 
and  violence,  he  could  only  utter  a  groan.  However, 
habit  gradually  familiarized  him  with  an  idea  once  hate- 
ful, and  he  considered  his  struggles  simply  as  a  rebellion 
of  the  flesh,  while  indeed  a  secret  burning  ambition  was  in 
his  heart.  Besides,  the  suspense  following  his  application 
for  the  indulgence  served  to  blunt  his  sorrow. 

In  the  end,  when  Frances  brought  him  the  fatal  docu- 
ment, he  grasped  his  hand,  and  in  an  ecstacy  kissed  the 
seal  and  signature  of  the  Pontiff.  He  and  the  Bishop  con- 
sidered deeply  and  consulted  often  how  to  communicate, 
the  terrible  information  to  his  doomed  wife.  Circum- 
stances, however,  shaped  the  sad  affair  in  a  way  their  wis- 
dom would  not  have  determined.  One  day,  in  his  study, 
when  he  and  the  Jesuit  had  an  appointment,  the  parch- 
ment in  its  scarlet  letters,  and  with  its  red  seal,  was  taken 
from  a  secret  drawer  and  left  on  his  table.  Being  called 
suddenly  away,  and  detained  longer  than  he  expected,  the 
dispensation  was  forgotten.  Mrs.  Cleveland  happened  to 
enter  the  study,  and  the  unusual  character  and  appear- 
7* 


78  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

ance  arrested  her  eye,  and  a  single  word  flashed  the  whole 
truth  on  her  woman's  intuition.  She  saw  but  that  word. 
That  word  burned  into  her  soul.  It  marked  on  her  face 
the  wrinkles  of  age.  It  brought  into  her  hair  the  white 
of  winter.  She  stood  with  clasped  hands,  petrified  by  her 
anguish,  like  a  statue  consuming  with  interior  fire. 
Cleveland,  having  remembered  his  carelessness,  returned 
to  the  study,  breathless  with  haste  and  fear.  A  glance 
revealed  the  truth.  He  trembled,  and  would  have  fled  in 
wild  terror,  but  was  arrested  by  the  voice  of  his  wife. 

Standing  loftily  while  her  eye  flashed  her  just  indigna- 
tion, she  pointed  with  her  right  hand  to  the  parchment, 
and  exclaimed,  "  Arthur  Cleveland,  there  lies  the  secret 
of  your  struggles,  and  the  proof  of  your  delusion.  There 
is  a  demonstration  that  Rome,  to  secure  her  purpose, 
would  rend  the  altar  of  heaven.  There  is  the  seal  of  mor- 
tal man,"  and  seizing  a  Bible  which  lay  on  the  table,  and 
holding  it  towards  him,  she  said,  "  and  here  is  the  AVord 
of  an  infallible  God.  You  have  withered  these  cheeks. 
You  have  blanched  this  head.  You  have  pierced  this 
bosom.  You  have  crushed  this  heart.  You  have  re- 
nounced your  faith,  your  wife,  your  child.  Behold  the 
wreck  made  by  your  infatuation !  But  you  are  my  hus- 
band. Human  power  is  impotent  against  this  Divine 
Law.  Although  I  cannot  permit  your  embrace,  I  here 
vow  on  this  Bible  and  before  Heaven  to  follow  you 
through  life  and  rescue  your  soul." 

The  smitten  husband  shrank  and  cringed  before  the 
burning  gaze  of  his  injured  wife.  He  would  have  an- 
swered, but  she  commanded  his  silence  with  a  womanly 
majesty  which  awed  him  into  submission.  At  this  mo- 
ment, Frances,  in  pursuance  of  his  appointment,  made  his 
appearance.     Mrs.   Cleveland  stood  before  him  like  an 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  79 

angel  of  retribution.  The  strong  man  shrank  before  the 
gaze  of  the  outraged  woman.  He  would  have  retreated 
from  the  storm,  but  was  arrested  by  her  voice  before  he 
could  escape. 

"  You,"  she  cried,  and  her  face  and  eye  breathed  and 
flamed  with  indignation.  "You  are  the  serpent  who 
have  wound  yourself  into  this  Eden  to  blast  its  joy.  Your 
subtle  breath  is  the  poison  of  our  home.  You  have  come 
in  the  garb  of  Heaven  to  do  the  work  of  Hell.  You  are 
the  emissary  of  the  Pope,  and  the  minister  of  Satan. 
You  would  dare  separate  those  whom  God  has  joined. 
You  blasphemously  place  the  dispensation  of  a  worm 
above  the  will  of  the  Creator.  Heaven  shall  baffle  your 
plans  and  save  my  husband." 

Frances  was  too  shrewd  to  attempt  a  response.  Just 
then  the  bright  Ada  smiling  darted  like  a  simbeam  into 
the  room.  Mrs.  Cleveland  snatched  the  child  convul- 
sively, to  her  bosom,  and  with  a  look  of  anguish  and  re- 
proof, but  a  step  of  majestic  dignity,  left  the  room.  The 
Bishop,  and  Cleveland  remained  overwhelmed  with  con- 
fusion and  dismay. 


CHAPTEE IX 

THE   CAPITOL. 

The  cannon  which  blazed  against  the  flag  of  Sumter 
was  charged  with  the  destinies  of  our  country.  Its  roar, 
indeed,  connects  itself  with  the  future  of  the  world. 
Nothing  but  such  thunder  could  have  waked  our  nation 
from  its  sleep  of  death.  Immediately  over  every  part  of 
our  vast  territory,  men  arose  willing  to  sacrifice  life  for 
that  fallen  standard  which  they  regarded  as  representing 
the  sovereignty  of  the  Republic.  A  contest  was  initiated 
to  decide  forever  whether  our  unequalled  territory,  in  the 
heart  of  the  American  continent,  and  so  closely  connected 
with  all  the  grand  divisions  of  the  old  world,  was  to  be 
controlled  by  innumerable  petty  States,  agitated  in  eternal 
wars,  or  to  be  governed  by  local  organizations  under  one 
united  power,  whose  flag  should  command  the  respect  of 
the  nations  as  the  emblem  of  human  liberty.  All  other 
considerations  were  incidental  and  subordinate.  And 
whatever  the  excesses  and  outrages  of  the  war,  and  the 
opinions,  and  cruelties  of  individuals,  we  are  not  to  sup- 
pose that  men  on  both  sides  Were  not  sincere  believers  in 
their  respective  principles.  ISTo  purer  statesmen  ever  lived 
in  the  history  of  our  country  than  the  gifted  Southern 
band  who  battled  against  Clay,  and  Webster  on  the  arena 
of  the  Senate,  and  it  was  impossible  that  leaders  of  such 
ability  and  eloquence  should  not  leave  behind  them  a 
vigorous  and  enthusiastic  school  willing  to  defend  their 
views  with  both  tongue,  and  sword.  Questions  of  race 
80 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  81 

and  slavery  undoubtedly  precipitated  and  intensified  the 
contest,  but  independently  of  these,  exaggerated  opinions 
of  the  rights  of  States  must  always,  and  inevitably,  ter- 
minate in  conflict  with  the  general  Government.  The 
intense  face,  and  narrow  forehead  of  Calhoun  as  certainly 
typified  the  sectional  spirit  of  Secession,  as  the  broad 
brow,  and  majestic  proportions  of  Washington  personified 
the  genius,  and  the  destiny  of  our  undivided  Republic. 
Leaving,  however,  these  reflections  we  will  return  to  the 
personal  histories  we  have  proposed  to  narrate. 

Edward  Ellingwood  and  Charles  Austin,  true  to  their 
education,  enlisted,  each  in  the  army  whose  banner  was 
the  standard  of  his  heart  and  his  opinions.  In  the  eye 
of  the  one  floated  the  unbroken  constellation  of  the 
Republic,  and  in  the  eye  of  the  other  the  separated  stars 
of  the  Confederacy.  Neither  was  in  the  mutually-morti- 
fying struggle  at  Bull-Run.  Each,  unconscious  of  the 
presence  of  the  other,  mingled  in  the  fight  which  planted 
our  flag  on  the  walls  of  Fort  Donaldson,  and  started 
General  Grant  in  that  military  career  destined  to  termi- 
nate in  the  triumph  of  his  country.  They  were  thus  ac- 
quiring endurance  and  skill  in  the  various  contests  of  the 
war,  and  perhaps  no  young  officers  in  either  army  had 
exhibited  greater  talents,  or  courage,  or  gave  brighter 
promise  of  advancement. 

During  the  interval  we  have  described,  it  happened 
that  Judge  Ellingwood  and  General  Brompton  were  to 
meet  in  the  City  of  Washington,  where  the  latter  sought  J 
in  vain  to  be  recognized  as  a  confederate  commissioner 
that  he  might  adjust  certain  important  questions  of  policy. 
Both,  as  cultivated  gentlemen  and  astute  lawyers,  compre- 
hended the  true  issues  to  be  settled  before  the  country, 
and  the  world.     The  interview  was    anticipated    with 


82  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

mutual  interest,  and  ended  with  mutual  respect.  It  took 
place  in  one  of  the  private  rooms  of  the  Capitol.  The 
Judge  was  already  seated  at  a  table  covered  with  letters, 
and  papers,  when  the  General  entered.  Instantly  laying 
down  his  pen,  he  arose  with  a  somewhat  stately  and 
formal,  but  polite  salute,  which  was  returned  in  a  similar 
style  and  spirit.  The  two  gentlemen  were  soon  sitting  in 
their  chairs  face  to  face. 

"  Ha,  ha,  General,"  began  the  Judge  laughing,  "  we 
have  not  met  before  since  that  famous  commencement 
drew  us  together.  How  amusing  the  excitement  in  the 
old  College-Chapel !  You  see  Charley,  and  Ned  have  led 
us  to  war  at  last.  I  fear  the  young  rascals  were  better 
prophets  than  ourselves." 

"  I  have  often  smiled,"  said  the  General,  "  when  I  have 
recalled  some  of  the  incidents  of  the  scene.  Yet  now 
memory  invests  it  with  a  shade  of  gloom.  The  fellows 
may  find  an  exchange  of  arguments  more  agreeable  than 
an  exchange  of  bullets.  Had  the  boys,  and  women  fore- 
seen these  troubles  they  would  scarcely  have  been  so  en- 
thusiastic." 

"  Well,  my  old  friend,"  replied  Judge  Ellingwood,  in  a 
more  subdued  and  serious  tone,  "it  is  indeed  a  sad  matter. 
The  result  was  destiny.  Nothing  but  the  sword  can  now 
adjust  our  disputes.  We  have  been  long  sowing  the  seeds 
of  war  in  our  words,  and  we  must  reap  the  harvest  in 
blood.  But,"  he  added  with  a  flashing  eye,  and  a  quiver- 
ing lip,  "  while  I  have  always  conceded  sincerity  to  the 
people  of  the  South,  however  I  may  have  blamed  some  of 
their  leaders,  and  attributed  this  strife  to  their  education, 
I  have  been  startled,  and  amazed  by  certain  reports  re- 
lating to  your  prisons.  On  this  point,  before  our  inter- 
view proceeds,  I  must  know  your  private  opinion." 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  83 

"While  these  words  were  uttering,  Brompton  started 
from  his  seat  in  great  excitement.  Lifting  his  large 
person  to  his  full  height,  and  folding  his  arms  over  his 
breast,  he  looked  down  on  Judge  Ellingwood  with  a 
powerful  but  suppressed  emotion,  and  exclaimed,  "  I  had 
supposed  this  unpleasant  topic  would  have  been  avoided. 
No  man  more  than  I  deplores  the  cruelties  to  which  you 
allude.  Our  people  have  been,  indeed,  for  the  moment, 
misled,  nor  are  your  own  soldiers  guiltless  of  excess.  As 
gentlemen,  as  Christians,  as  Americans,  we  must  equally 
abhor  every  outrage  in  the  hospital  or  on  the  field.  You 
have  met  in  other  days  Southern  Statesmen  beneath  this 
dome,  and  you  know  well  their  chivalrous  honor,  which 
would  have  spurned  inhumanity  as  cowardice.  Believe 
me  their  sons  are  not  degenerate." 

Judge  Ellingwood  also  arose  during  the  delivery  of 
these  sentiments,  and  with  a  pleased  smile  and  glowing 
countenance  extended  his  hand  to  his  friend,  and  replied, 
"  Pardon  me,  my  dear  General,  for  introducing  this  sub- 
ject. I  knew  too  well  your  native  nobility  to  suppose  you 
could  speak  otherwise.  Let  us  be  seated,  and  be  calm." 
The  gentlemen  resumed  their  chairs.  "  We,"  continued 
the  Judge  with  studied  composure,  "  as  lawyers  and  poli- 
ticians, unable  through  age  to  mingle  in  the  strife  of  war, 
can  more  cooly  study  events,  and  comprehend  the  princi- 
ples involved  in  this  gigantic  conflict.  I  have  given  all 
my  remaining  powers  to  my  country,  and  sent  my  son  to 
fight,  perhaps,"  he  added,  with  a  tear,  "  to  die,  that  we 
may  establish  forever  the  supremacy  of  a  united  Republic 
on  this  continent  and  before  the  world." 

"  And  I,"  responded  the  General,  "  with  equal  honesty 
of  conviction  have  devoted  myself  and  my  nephew,  whom 
I  love  as  my  flesh,  to  maintain  the  right  of  every  State  to 


84  THE    AMERICAN    CARDINAL. 

its  sovereignty,  and  am  willing  to  drain  these  aged  veins, 
if  necessary,  to  prove  my  sincerity  by  my  blood.  "What- 
ever result  the  sword  achieves  I  will  accept  during  life." 

"I  know,"  returned  the  Judge,  "that  at  present  we 
must  differ.  Perhaps  I  am  too  sanguine.  But  I  think, 
as  this  country  is  united  by  its  history,  its  interests,  its 
very  rivers  and  mountains,  and  physical  features,  on 
which  Almighty  God  has  stamped  eternal  unity,  so  I  be- 
lieve it  is  the  destined  refuge  of  the  nations,  where  all 
blended  races  are  to  lose  their  antagonism,  and  give 
humanity  its  noblest  type,  and  spread  liberty  over  our 
world." 

"And  I,"  said  General  Brompton,  "hold  that  the 
North  and  the  South,  different  by  blood,  and  education, 
and  climate,  will  work  out  a  better  future  for  themselves 
and  for  mankind  under  separate  governments,  and  for  this 
faith  I  have  pledged  my  all." 

"  Permit  me,  without  offence,"  replied  Judge  Elling- 
wood,  "  to  say  that  this  war  will  result  not  only  in  the 
freedom,  but  in  the  political  equality  of  the  slave.  "With- 
out pausing  to  pursue  such  speculations,  I  think  we  will 
unite  on  certain  great  questions  when  the  struggle  has  ter- 
minated." 

"  First,  Judge,  you  must  win  your  laurels  before  we 
shape  our  plans  under  their  shadow,"  interrupted  General 
Brompton ;  and  then,  with  a  mischievous  twinkle  of  the 
eye,  he  continued:  "I  suppose  you  allude  to  certain 
theories  now  largely  discussed  in  New  England.  Your 
women  begin  by  claiming  the  right  to  vote  and  hold  office, 
and  will  end  by  sending  the  men  into  the  kitchen  and  into 
the  nursery.  Or  possibly  you  refer  to  that  Yankee  facility 
for  divorce  which  is  fast  allying  Puritanism  to  Mormon- 
ism.    I  have  heard  that  husbands  now  transfer   their 


THE    AMERICAN    CARDINAL.  85 

wives  and  children  as  they  do  their  horses  and  cattle,  so 
that  a  Court  of  Justice  resembles  a  stock  exchange." 

"No,  no,  no,"  said  the  Judge  quickly,  and  blushing 
slightly  with  vexation,  "  I  detest  as  much  as  yourself  the 
monster  exhibited  when  the  soul  of  an  unmarriageable 
female  aspires  to  masculinity,  and  treats  life  with  disgust 
because  she  cannot  unsex  her  body.  To  me,  our  modern 
departure  from  the  old  scriptural  rule  of  divorce,  as  sub- 
stantially embodied  in  the  English  law,  is  odious.  I  re- 
ferred, however,  to  the  Papacy." 

"  Ah,"  interposed  the  General,  laughing,  "  our  ances- 
tral blood  will  show  itself.  You,  as  an  hereditary  Con- 
gregationalism and  I  as  an  hereditary  Presbyterian  will 
never  find  it  hard  to  unite  our  forces  against  Rome." 

"  I  have  been  looking,"  said  the  Judge,  "  beyond  the 
fierce  struggles  of  our  present  war,  and  I  see  in  the  future 
a  yet  more  gigantic  contest.  Heaven  grant  that  it  may 
be  determined  by  the  ballot,  and  not  by  the  bullet !  I 
have  been  studying  the  origin,  the  development,  the 
genius  of  the  Papacy.  Its  peculiar  claims,  unsupported 
by  Scripture,  must  find  their  sole  warrant  in  the  authority 
of  the  Church.  Now  mark  me,  General — mark  me — the 
infallibility  of  the  body  logically  implies  the  infallibility 
of  the  Head.  The  Pope  will  be  eventually  declared  the 
source  of  all  truth,  grace,  and  sovereignty.  As  the  repre- 
sentative of  heaven  he  will  assert  his  right  to  the  worship 
and  the  government  of  earth.  While  such  a  monstrous 
pretence  will  alienate  the  culture  and  intellect  of  the  age, 
it  may  even  increase  his  power  over  the  ignorant  masses, 
whose  reverence  for  images  and  invocation  of  saints  have 
educated  them  to  prefer  the  adoration  of  a  visible  God. 
Well  do  the  Jesuits  know  that  a  declaration  of  infallibil- 
ity will  compact  their  marvellous  system  and  add  to  the 
8 


86  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL, 

vigor  of  its  conquests.  A  united  Protestantism  should  de- 
fend our  country  from  this  spiritual  slavery." 

"I  too,"  answered  the  General,  "discern  the  tokens  of 
this  terrible  battle,  more  convulsing  than  our  present  war. 
Tsot  only  all  Protestants,  but  all  who  love  human  rights, 
and  human  progress,  should  seek  to  avert  from  this 
continent  a  dominion  eternally  inconsistent  with  human 
liberty.  But,  Judge,  I  assure  you  that  if  the  Priests  in 
council  make  the  Pope  a  god,  the  Kings  will  soon  make 
him  a  beggar.  However,  the  loss  of  his  temporal  rule 
may  only  increase  his  spiritual  power.  And  now,  my  old 
friend,  we  must  cease  our  speculations,  and  busy  ourselves 
with  facts." 

"Yes,"  said  Judge  Ellingwood,  pointing  down  to  a 
table  piled  with  confused  documents,  and  then  upward  to 
a  marble  bust  of  Washington,  "that  venerable  face  will 
soon  look  on  us  reprovingly  for  chatting  like  boys  about 
the  future,  when,  so  many  grave  interests  in  the  present 
demand  our  attention." 

We  will  leave  the  old  gentlemen  absorbed  in  the  dis- 
cussions arising  during  their  interview,  and  return  to 
persons  and  incidents  of  another  description. 


CHAPTER  X. 

A  JESUIT. 

The  agony  of  Mrs.  Cleveland  after  her  reproof  of  her 
husband  and  the  Bishop  was  indescribable.  When  she 
retired  to  her  solitary  chamber  a  weight  on  her  heart 
almost  stopped  its  pulsations.  Frosts  of  a  premature  age 
crept  chilling  through  her  veins.  She  felt  herself  bowing 
to  the  earth.  Her  deserted  bed  intensified  her  sense  of 
widowhood,  and  she  threw  herself  upon  it,  clasping  her 
hands  in  a  temporary  despair.  Suddenly,  in  her  own 
home,  a  chasm  had  yawned  between  herself,  and  her 
husband.  She  was  not  bereaved  by  death,  but  by  a 
power  more  remorseless.  A  grave  is  expected  at  last  to 
separate  mortals,  and  they  are  prepared  for  a  common 
catastrophe.  She  was  to  endure  a  widowhood,  made,  not 
by  the  will  of  God — man's  tyranny  had  caused  her  deso- 
lation. After  the  first  violence  of  her  grief  had  subsided, 
her  spirit  gradually  settled  into  the  peace  which  follows 
submission.  Needing  sympathy  and  counsel  she  sent  a 
note  to  her  Pastor,  explaining  briefly  the  nature  of  her 
sorrows.  Dr.  Elton  was  absent  when  the  messenger  ar- 
rived. He  soon,  however,  returned,  and  repaired  to  the 
home  Cleveland  had  deserted. 

Entering  the  room  of  the  abandoned  lady  he  ex- 
claimed with  an  assumed  abruptness,  intended  to  divert 
her  from  herself,  "  My  dear  madam  you  indulge  a  very 
great  grief  for  a  very  small  loss." 

"What  can  you  mean,  Dr.  Elton?"  cried  Mrs.  Cleve- 

87 


88  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

land,  lifting  her  eyes  in  astonishment,  while  her  counte- 
nance indicated  aeuto  suffering. 

"I  mean,"  responded  the  Clergyman,  "that  a  man  who 
would  be  lured  by  a  Jesuit  from  such  a  wife,  and  such  a 
daughter,  and  such  a  home,  does  not  deserve  your  tears. 
You  might  weep  oyer  his  grave  but  not  over  his  cell." 

"'Oh,  Doctor!"  she  exclaimed,  "he  had  many  noble 
and  shining  gifts.  Our  hearts  were  united  in  a  true  love, 
and  until  now  he  has  been  an  example  of  affectionate 
devotion.  His  wealth  has  been  his  ruin.  Had  he  been 
born  to  struggle  he  would  have  proved  a  blessing  to  his 
race." 

"  Madam,  I  have  no  more  patience  with  this  thing," 
said  Dr.  Elton,  with  an  expression  of  disgust  in  his  face, 
and  a  -quiver  of  scorn  on'  his  lip  and  in  his  nostril. 
"  These  fellows  who  love  the  paint  of  Babylon  should  go 
where  they  can  flash  in  her  gold  and  scarlet  without 
sham  or  falsehood.  We  are  thankful  for  their  defection. 
Anything  is  better  than  a  tinsel  imitation.  Esop's  daw 
in  peacock's  feathers  with  me  was  never  a  popular  bird. 
But  that  a  man  should  desert  his  wife,  is  against  every 
law  of  Heaven." 

"Speak  gently,  my  dear  sir;  speak  gently!"  inter- 
rupted Mrs.  Cleveland,  closing  her  weeping  eyes,  and 
clasping  her  hands  for  a  moment.  After  a  brief  pause, 
she  continued :  "  Mr.  Cleveland  will  come  pure  from  the 
flames.  He  will  not  be  consumed,  but  saved."  Then 
looking  solemnly  upward,  and  pointing  with  her  right 
hand,  she  added :  "  On  the  Throne  is  One  who  answers 
prayer." 

"  But  what  on  earth  could  tempt  the  man  to  forsake 
his  home  ? "  interposed  Dr.  Elton,  impatiently.  "  To 
worship  a  saint  is  bad  enough,  but  to  betray  a  saint  is 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  89 

abominable.  How  did  Satan  ever  delude  your  husband 
into  suck  folly  ?" 

Mrs.  Cleveland  smiled  despite  her  pain,  and  said:  "  If 
his  treachery  was  to  be  measured  by  my  saintliness,  he 
would  be  quite  innocent.  The  history  of  his  perversion  is 
sad,  and  brief.  Its  root  was  in  himself.  He  seemed  never 
to  have  had  any  comfortable  faith  in  our  holy  religion, 
and  his  tastes  became  more  and  more  sesthetical.  His 
hatred  of  Protestantism  was  only  equalled  by  his  passion 
for  union  with  corrupt  and  idolatrous  communions.  Thus 
weakened  in  his  heart,  the  dying  agonies  of  our  dear  little 
Ella  were  keen  torments,  which  made  him  bitterly 
arraign  Providence.  While  in  this  diseased  and  partially 
insane  condition,  he  came  under  the  influence  of  Bishop 
Frances,  and  soon  leaped  headlong  into  the  arms  of  the 
Papacy.  At  last,  in  his  madness,  he  applied  for  this 
dispensation,  which  has  fallen  like  such  a  blight  on  our 
lives.  Oh,  our  home !  our  home  is  indeed  covered  with  a 
cloud."  While  uttering  these  sad  words,  Mrs.  Cleveland 
for  a  moment  was  almost  convulsed  with  a  paroxysm  of 
agony. 

"  "Well,  Madam,"  answered  Dr.  Elton,  himself  deeply 
moved :  "  I  will  seek,  and  try  persuasion.  Perhaps  he 
may  be  brought  back  to  your  bosom,  and  this  midnight 
be  lifted  from  your  heart  and  house.  He  may  be  a 
Komanist,  and  yet  a  husband  and  a  father.  I  do  not 
understand  his  Church  requires  such  a  renunciation  of 
her  children." 

"  I  fear,"  replied  Mrs.  Cleveland,  "  that  the  disease  has 
not  yet  exhausted  its  violence.  Perversion  seems  like  a 
fever,  which  has  its  period  of  contagion,  then  of  frenzy, 
and  then  of  prostration.  My  husband's  system  will,  I  am 
certain,  at  last  cast  out  the  poison,  but  my  own  faith  will 
8* 


90  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

first  be  long  tried.  However,  go  in  the  name  of  truth 
and  love,  and  do  what  you  can !" 

"  "With  your  permission,"  said  the  Doctor,  "  I  will  seek 
an  interview  with  Mr.  Cleveland,  and  without  endeavoring 
to  win  him  from  his  religion,  I  may  at  least  try  to  restore 
him  to  his  wife." 

"  Go,  my  good  Pastor,  go !"  cried  the  weeping  woman. 
"  May  Heaven  give  you  wisdom  to  rebuild  these  shattered 
altars  of  our  happiness." 

The  abrupt,  but  kind  and  manly  clergyman,  bidding 
her  a  tender  adieu,  left  her  in  her  tears,  and  proceeded  at 
once  to  execute  his  ungracious  and  hopeless  task.  He 
feared  his  inability  to  control  his  indignation,  but  resolved 
to  make  a  strenuous  effort.  A  test  of  his  self-command 
occurred  sooner  than  he  expected.  As  he  passed  home- 
ward through  a  grove,  he  perceived  Cleveland  sitting  at 
the  root  of  a  venerable  oak,  whose  sturdy  trunk  was  no 
emblem  of  an  uncertain  life,  more  fittingly  seen  in  the 
shadow  moving  with  the  breeze,  and  changing  with  the 
cloud.  After  leaving  his  house,  and  parting  from  the 
Bishop,  he  had  wandered  forth  in  the  keenest  misery. 
His  purpose  was  not  shaken,  but  his  heart  was  pierced. 
The  picture  of  his  agonized  wife,  and  forsaken  child,  and 
desolated  home,  was  traced  ineffaceably  on  his  memory. 
"When  Dr.  Elton  approached,  he  was  absorbed  in  one  last 
intent  gaze,  which  seemed  to  carry  out  his  very  soul,  and 
fix  it  on  the  images  of  the  family  group,  as  they  appeared 
in  all  their  beauty,  and  grace,  and  joy,  in  a  photograph 
hitherto  carried  in  his  bosom — soon  to  be  abandoned  for 
ever.  His  solicitude  concerning  the  dispensation,  and  his 
delight  at  its  reception,  misled  him  to  believe  that  his 
human  affections  had  been  crushed.  He  was  now  learning 
that  the  roots  of  love  can  only  be  torn,  by  long  violence, 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  91 

from  the  sacred  soil  in  which  they  have  been  deeply 
imbedded.  Hearing  a  step,  he  looked  up,  with  a  tear  on 
his  eyelid,  and  anguish  on  his  face.  Perceiving  who 
caused  the  interruption,  he  hastily  restored  the  photograph 
to  his  breast.  Dr.  Elton  read  the  situation  at  a  glance, 
and  his  indignation  at  once  melted  into  compassion.  He 
knew  he  stood  before  a  tortured  man. 

As  Cleveland  arose,  the  Clergyman  extended  his  hand 
in  the  kindest  manner,  saying:  "My  dear  friend,  we 
have  met  in  a  lovely  spot,  well  suited  to  the  calm  of 
meditation." 

"  Yes,"  he  responded  in  a  tone  of  mingled  sadness  and 
confusion,  "  but  there  are  storms  of  the  spirit  not  to  be 
hushed  by  the  evening  stillness  of  this  grove."  It  was 
the  embarrassment  of  the  moment  which  elicited  a  reply, 
thus  exposing  the  state  of  his  mind. 

Dr.  Elton  answered :  "  As  an  old  friend,  who  feels  a 
true  interest  in  your  welfare,  and  attachment  to  your 
family,  may  I  not  inquire  whether  there  is  not  yet  a 
remedy  for  your  troubles  ?  It  is  not  too  late  to  repair  the 
ruin  wrought  in  your  home." 

"Upon  this  subject,"  returned  Cleveland,  "I  do  not 
wish  to  converse.  My  heart  may  bleed  while  my  purpose 
is  unshaken." 

Said  Dr.  Elton :  "  I  will  use  no  arguments  to  disturb 
your  belief  in  your  church,  but  surely,  in  the  name  of 
law,  and  of  humanity,  I  may  implore  your  return  to  a 
forsaken  and  anguished  wife.  Oh,  Sir,  recall  your  early 
love,  your  exchanged  vows,  the  morning  when  in  yonder 
church  my  own  voice  pronounced  Arthur  Cleveland  and 
Emily  "Woodbridge  one  before  God !  Now  on  your  very 
finger  is  an  emblem  of  your  union.  Can  you  tear  it 
away  ?    "Would  you  rob  your  wife  of  the  name  you  have 


92  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

given?  Will  you  cast  her  on  the  world?  Will  you 
consign  to  strangers  the  education  of  your  daughter? 
Will  you  leave  your  home  without  its  protector  ?  Will 
you  make  a  widowhood  by  being  even  more  cruel  than 
death  ?  Think  of  the  years  which  have  come  laden  to 
you  with  their  bliss!  Think  of  the  little  grave,  over 
which  I  saw  you  weep  as  I  pronounced  the  solemn  com- 
mittal, and  consigned  your  Ella  to  the  earth !  Think  of 
your  bright  and  beautiful  Ada,  whom  you  have  brought 
into  existence  to  desert!  Think  of  your  wife,  who 
through  long  years  of  bereavement  will  drag  along  her 
desolate  days,  and  live  only  to  drop  her  sorrow  into  the 
grave !" 

While  Dr.  Elton  spoke,  Cleveland  was  deeply  and 
visibly  agitated.  After  a  moment's  silence,  he  replied : 
"  Our  former  relations,  and  your  kind  motives,  will  excuse 
this  appeal.  Only  to  Him  who  permits  them,  and  to 
myself,  can  my  sufferings  be  known.  If  I  hesitate,  it  is 
not  for  what  I  endure,  but  for  what  I  inflict.  That  faith, 
of  which  trial  found  me  destitute,  I  am  honestly  seeking 
in  the  bosom  of  the  infallible  Church.  I  thank  you  for 
your  sympathy,  while  I  must  reject  your  counsel." 

These  words  were  uttered  in  a  tone  indicating  that 
further  argument  would  be  deemed  an  intrusion.  Dr. 
Elton  very  politely  shook  Cleveland  by  the  hand,  and  the 
gentlemen  parted  with  mutual  kindness.  The  latter 
hesitated  for  several  days  whether  to  have  a  final  inter- 
view with  his  wife,  or  to  address  her  a  note  of  farewell. 
The  latter  course  was  at  last  resolved  upon,  after  consulta- 
tion with  Bishop  Frances.  It  was  another  arrow  in  a 
lacerated  heart,  inflicting  even  greater  pain  than  a 
description  in  a  newspaper  of  the  magnificent  pageant, 
during  which  her  husband  was  ordained  a  Priest  in  the 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  93 

Roman  Catholic  Church.  Afterward  she  heard  that  he 
occupied  a  cell  in  the  Episcopal  residence.  Thus  the 
separating  chasm  seemed  impassable.  And  yet  she  felt 
that  her  passion  to  reclaim  him  from  his  delusion  became, 
by  the  very  obstacles  interposed,  more  intense  than  even 
his  own  alien  and  unnatural  devotion  to  Rome.  The 
thought  of  legal  redress,  Bishop  Frances  had  well  calcu- 
lated, would  never  enter  her  lofty  soul.  She  knew  that 
while  marriage  was  an  indissoluble  state  ordained  by  God, 
any  compulsory  process  of  law  would  only  complicate 
mutual  miseries. 

In  the  meantime  Cleveland,  to  confirm  his  faith  and 
peace,  and  conquer  his  lingering  Protestant  revulsion  to 
certain  dogmas  and  practices,  was  daily  committing  him- 
self more  and  more  to  his  Bishop,  who  rightly  judged 
that  no  man  could  be  used  by  Rome  until  perfectly  sub- 
jected to  the  Pope.  Frances  was  seeking  daily  in  all 
possible  ways  to  indoctrinate  and  mould  his  disciple. 
Coming  one  morning  to  the  narrow  room,  or  rather  cell, 
which  Cleveland  had  chosen  to  promote  his  mortification, 
he  sat  down  on  a  wooden  stool,  while  his  pupil  was  seated 
uneasily  on  the  side  of  his  iron  bed. 

"  Here,  my  friend,"  said  the  Bishop,  "  I  have  on  this 
paper  a  curious  calculation.  You  know  statistics  rule  our 
age.  This  table  is  compiled  from  the  registers  of  Irish 
and  German  immigration.  I  find  that  within  a  half 
century,  simply  by  natural  increase,  Rome  will  govern 
this  Republic." 

"  Yes,"  replied  Cleveland,  while  his  face  beamed  with 
pleasure.  "  Even  the  laws  of  creation  are  on  the  side  of 
our  holy  church.  The  old  birth  is  more  certain  for  Rome 
than  the  new  birth  for  the  Protestants." 

u  How  glorious  the  day,"  replied  the  Bishop,  while  his 


94  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

eye  kindled  in  anticipation  of  the  triumph,  "when  we 
shall  have  a  Catholic  President,  a  Catholic  Cabinet,  a 
Catholic  Congress,  a  Catholic  Judiciary,  and  a  Catholic 
Ration,  as  well  as  a  Catholic  Church.  Yet  that  result  is 
certain  as  the  law  of  generation." 

"  And  a  Catholic  America  means  a  Catholic  World," 
answered  Cleveland,  with  the  exultation  of  a  recent 
convert. 

"Yet,"  rejoined  the  Bishop,  "it  requires  all  our  skill 
to  counteract  these  republican  influences.  You  know, 
however,  that  every  movement  of  Rome  is  part  of  a  sys- 
tem. One  vast  machinery  stretches  over  the  world, 
whose  centre  is  the  Vatican.  Our  organization  resembles 
an  army  distributed  over  the  globe,  where  every  soldier 
has  his  assigned  duty,  and  every  order  proceeds  from  the 
Pope  as  its  commandant." 

"  This  is  to  me,"  responded  Cleveland,  with  a  glowing 
countenance,  "  the  glory  of  the  system.  While  Greeks 
and  Protestant  heretics  have  broken  away  from  our  com- 
munion, our  only  Catholic  Church  is  diffused  over  the 
earth,  showing  in  her  infallible  head  the  visible  image  of 
her  universal  Lord." 

"See,"  said  the  Bishop,  rising  and  pointing  through 
the  small  window.  "See  that  Cathedral!  What  could 
exceed  the  beauty  of  its  situation,  commanding  this  en- 
tire valley,  and  first  arresting  the  eye  of  every  passer  as 
the  most  prominent  object  of  the  landscape.  That  cross, 
lifted  to  the  skies,  proclaims  the  wisdom  of  the  Vatican. 
Every  village  in  this  country  is  studied  on  a  map  at 
Rome.  Every  family  is  known  through  our  faithful 
servants.  Every  individual  heretic,  at  all  within  the 
circle  of  our  influence,  is  committed  to  some  special 
guardian.    Every  ecclesiastic    over    the    globe  has   his 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  95 

prescribed  task.  Thus  our  organization,  directed  by  the 
Pope,  is  wide  as  the  battle-field  of  Satan.  The  reflection 
is  grand,  inspiring,  sublime  beyond  expression.  The 
result  can  only  be  victory,"  and  the  Bishop's  face  shone 
in  the  light  of  anticipated  triumph. 

"And  here,"  responded  Cleveland,  catching  the  en- 
thusiasm, "  I  perceive  the  necessity  of  infallibility  in  our 
Great  Head.  Even  an  (Ecumenical  Council  would  be 
a  cumbersome  annoyance.  A  system  so  vast  requires  one 
unerring  sovereign  will." 

"Do  you  know,"  said  the  Bishop,  turning  toward 
Cleveland,  and  sinking  his  voice  almost  to  a  whisper, 
"  that  the  Order  of  Jesus  is  the  pillar  of  Eome?  If  our 
Lord  saved  the  world,  Loyola  saved  the  Papacy.  His 
followers,  bound  body  and  soul  to  his  Holiness,  support 
his  throne,  and  achieve  his  victories." 

"  I  am  aware  of  the  fact,"  answered  Cleveland,  "  and 
the  highest  aspiration  of  my  heart  is  to  be  a  lowly 
member  of  your  society." 

"I  rejoice  over  your  desire,"  returned  the  Bishop, 
visibly  delighted.  "It  will  conduce  not  only  to  your 
usefulness,  but  your  promotion.  I  have  long  marked 
you,  even  before  your  conversion,  as  the  Planning  of 
America.  Your  talents  and  position  give  you  shining 
opportunities.  I  predict  for  you  the  most  distinguished 
success  among  the  higher  classes  of  this  country,  and  the 
most  speedy  and  brilliant  reward  ever  bestowed  by  a 
Pope." 

Shortly  after,  in  a  «deep  vault  of  the  Cathedral,  dimly 
lighted  by  a  single  lamp,  Cleveland  was  initiated  into  the 
Order  of  the  Jesuits.  Over  the  altar  was  a  picture  of 
Loyola,  with  a  chain  around  his  body,  scourging  his  flesh, 
as  he  stood  looking  into  Heaven,  from  whose  light  gazed 


96  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

down  admiring  angels.  Surrounded  by  monks  robed  in 
black,  Cleveland  knelt  before  the  image,  and  pronounced 
an  awful  oath,  binding  him  forever  to  the  Pope  in  an 
indissoluble  allegiance,  stronger  than  any  obligation  he 
could  owe  to  family,  country,  truth,  faith,  or  life.  Soon 
after,  by  another  impressive  rite,  was  committed  to  him, 
as  the  present  work  of  his  Priesthood,  the  conversion  of 
his  former  pupils,  Edward  Ellingwood  and  Charles 
Austin. 


CHAPTER   XI. 

THE   MAGNOLIA   BALL-ROOM. 

Some  weeks  after  the  events  just  narrated,  two  men  in 
a  skiff  were  descending  a  deep  and  clear  stream,  winding 
along  tlie  base  of  the  high  hills  of  northern  Alabama. 
The  young  moon  was  tracing  in  a  line  of  silver  her  faint- 
est crescent  on  the  sky,  and  the  navigation  under  the 
dark  shadows  of  projecting  rocks  was  principally  by  the 
brilliant  light  of  the  stars.  A  negro  pulled  the  oars,  and 
a  round,  portly,  jolly  personage  sat  steering  in  the  stern. 

The  latter,  at  the  time  our  chapter  opens,  was  saying 
with  the  slightest  Irish  accent,  "  Are  you  certain,  Jumbo, 
that  Major  "Worstal  and  Miss  Austin  are  now  at  Magnolia 
Springs  ?" 

"  Sartin,  Massa  Preese,  sartin,"  replied  Jumbo,  resting 
a  moment  on  his  oar.  "  Dese  eyes  know  Missus  Ausson, 
and  dey  see  dat  ar  lady  dis  berry  mornin  a  ridin  her  white 
pony,  and  whar  Missus  Ausson  am,  dar  spec  oilers  Massa 
AVossal.  He  am  wunderful  in  lub  wid  de  lady,  like  my 
Jim  lub  '  lasses.' " 

"  Lasses,"  said  the  Priest,  laughing,  "  lasses !  you  mean 
girls." 

"  Law,  no,  Massa  Preese.  Ho !  ho  !  ho !  do  gals  grow  in 
de  suga  field  ?  Do  gals  spirt  from  de  cane  ?  Do  gals  bile 
in  de  kittle  ?     Do  gals  stick  to  de  fingers  ?" 

"  O  Jumbo,  I  understand  now.  Your  nigger  wisdom 
has  got  at  last  under  my  Irish  hair.     You  mean  Major 

9  97 


98  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

"Worstal  loves  his  cousin,  Miss  Austin,  like  your  son  Jim 
loves  molasses." 

Jumbo,  resuming  his  oars  as  if  his  purpose  of  instruc- 
tion "was  accomplished,  replied  with  a  nod  of  approval, 
and  a  low,  significant  chuckle,  "Pat  am  it,  Massa 
Preese,  dat  am  it.  You's  hit  zackly  de  comprehenshun 
of  de  idea.  My  Jim's  brot  up  on  dat  same  lasses,  and 
nosin  now  so  make  de  light  come  from  dat  nigga's  eye  as 
de  lasses  in  de  suga-ladle,  when  de  kittle  rore.  And 
'nosin  make  Massa  Wossal's  eye  bright  as  de  mornin', 
like  de  face  of  Missus  Ausson.  He  gib  dis  nigga  quarta 
dolla  for  singin  'bout  her  in  dis  yer  boat," 

"Jumbo,"  asked  the  Priest,  wishing  to  elicit  some 
amusement  for  the  hour.  "Can't  you  give  me  that 
song?" 

"  "Well,  I  mus  tell  carcumstans,  Massa  Preese,"  said 
Jumbo,  deliberately  taking  the  oars  from  their  locks,  and 
permitting  the  skiff  to  float  down  the  dashing  current. 
"  De  Maja,  he  cum  from  de  camp,  a  glitterin'  on  his  boss, 
which  fell,  and  sprain  a  leg,  and  walk  limpin'  to  de  ferry. 
He  den  want  to  cum  to  de  'Kolia  Springs  in  dis  yer  skiff: 
so  dis  yer  nigga  row,  and  de  Maja  he  steer.  He's  quire 
bout  Missus  Ausson — how  she  look — how  she  dress — how 
she  sing — what  gemmen  visit  de  house — who  dance  wid 
her,  and  talk  wid  her — but,"  he  continued  with  a  grin, 
which  showed  his  ivory  to  the  stars,  "  he  say  'nuffin  'bcut 
de  time  he  ride  wid  her." 

"  What  do  you  mean,  Jumbo  ?"  interrupted  the  Priest, 
who  saw,  with  quick  instinct,  that  he  was  about  to  learn 
something  amusing  at  the  expense  of  his  old  friend. 

"  Go  on,  and  tell  me  all  the  particulars  of  that  ride.  I 
am  acquainted  with  Major  Worstal,  and  I  want  to  know 
all  about  it." 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  99 

Jumbo  drew  himself  proudly  on  the  seat,  and  began 
with  all  the  deliberation  and  importance  of  an  ancient 
bard,  or  a  modern  orator.  "  I'se  then  tell  de  story  fast, 
and  den  sing  de  song.  Dar,"  he  said,  looking  and  point- 
ing as  if  there  was  an  actual  person  before  his  large 
rolling  orbs,  "  I'se  jis  now  see  de  Maja.  He  cum  on  his 
mar  to  Ginral  Brornpton's  house  at  de  sea-side.  Hah !  he 
look  splendid  as  my  ole  Nell's  Spanish  rooster,  wid  his 
red  crest,  struttin  afore  de  hens,  pickin  pleased  roun  dar 
laud,  and  massa.  His  shirt-bosom  white  as  de  cloud  on 
dat  baby  moon.  His  epillettes  bright  as  de  yaller  corn 
in  Octoba.  His  sash  red  as  de  scarlet  cactus  in  de  big 
swamp.  His  sword,  danglin'  and  janglin',  as  he  sat  proud 
on  de  prancin'  mar,  wid  his  toe  just  touchin'  of  his  ster- 
rup.  He  giant,  Massa  Preese,  a  growin'  to  dat  hoss.  He 
gets  off,  and  he  rings  at  de  door,  and  he  asks  for  Missus 
Ausson,  and  he  strut  'bout  jist  like  our  Massa's  peacock. 
Afta  dinna  Is'e  ordered  to  git  Missus  Anna's  pony,  and 
Jim,  he's  ordered  to  git  de  Maja's  mar.  But  her  girt  war 
broke,  and  dat  'tained  Jim.  Den  de  Maja  he  fly  mad, 
and  he  cum  puffin  his  seega  like  de  smoke  of  our  cabin 
chimbley.  He  run  a  roarin',  and  a  cussin',  and  a  strikin' 
at  de  niggas,  specially  Jim,  and  he  say :  '  Cuss  yer  Jim, 
put  on  dat  saddle  in  a  flash.' " 

Said  Jim,  wid  a  wink  at  dis  yer  nigga,  his  'spectable 
fadda :  "  Massa  Maja,  shall  I  put  on  de  saddle  zackly  as  it 
am?" 

"  Yes,"  shouted  de  Maja,  swearin'  awfu'.  "Jim  slap  on 
de  saddle  wid  de  girt  hangin  by  a  little  jibber.  I  bring 
out  Missus  Anna  pony,  and  she  look  like  de  picter  in 
Massa's  parlor,  ob  de  angel  sailin'  on  de  cloud  up  into  de 
hebbenly  light.  Den  Jim  hole  de  Maja's  mar  while  he 
mount,  and  as  he  pass  roun'  grinnin',  jist  when  de  Maja 


100  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

get  on,  de  mar,  she  rar,  and  she  run,  and  she  jump,  and 
de  Maja  he  bob,  and  he  cuss,  and  de  girt  broke,  and  de 
saddle  turn,  and  de  Maja  tumble  spraulin'  in  de  mud- 
puddle,  not  lookin'  like  de  proud  sodja  who  cum  so 
splendid  down  Massa's  lane.  Ha!  ha!  ha!"  roared 
Jumbo.  "  Dar,  Massa  Preese,  I  see  him,  dar.  How  he 
look — one  patch  of  mud  on  de  nose — his  mouf  stuff  full — 
his  eyelids  a  drippin' — his  white  bosom  spattered  wid  dat 
vile  clay — his  uniform  tore,  and  spoiled,  and  dirtied.  He 
look  like  de  roosta  in  de  rain,  or  old  Massa's  peacock, 
when  young  Massa  Chals,  fore  he  went  to  college,  wid  all 
de  young  niggas,  pluck  out  his  fedders,  and  he  slunk  away 
to  hide  himself  in  de  swamp."  And  Jumbo  laughed  until 
the  big  tears  rolled  down  his  black  cheeks,  while  the  skiff 
shook  as  if  in  a  spirit  of  sympathetic  fun.  The  Priest 
roared  until  his  powerful  voice  came  echoing  back  from 
the  hills  across  the  astonished  waters. 

"  Well  Jumbo,"  he  said,  "  that  is  funny  enough.  I  will 
have  a  good  laugh  at  Worstal.  But  did  it  cure  him  of 
his  passion?" 

"  Lor,  Massa  Preese,  nuffin  do  dat,  'till  Missus  Anna 
put  out  de  flame  wid  a  flat  no,  like  my  old  Nell,  by 
trowin'  her  dish  water  'stiuguish  de  fire  on  Jim  a  scream- 
in'  and  a  twistin'  in  de  blaze.  No,  no,  dis  nigga  no  sing 
'bout  Missus  Ausson  after  she  gib  de  Maja  de  mitten." 

While  the  skiff  glided  down  the  star-lit  stream,  Jumbo 
began  in  that  clear,  melodious  mournful  voice  peculiar  to 
the  Southern  negro,  and  poured  forth  an  old  plantation- 
strain  slightly  modified  by  his  own  genius  to  suit  circum- 
stances. Softened  by  the  waters,  the  lingering  notes 
returned  from  cave  and  rock,  to  fill  night  with  their 
sweetness. 


THE,  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  101 

Does  yer  lub  yer  banjo,  Joe, 

When  day's  work  am  done, 
And  de  soun'  cum'  sweet  and  low 

In  de  settin'  sun? 

Does  yer  lub  de  mock-bird's  note 

Pourin'  soft  and  loud 
Dat  sweet  music  from  him  troat 

Like  light  from  do  cloud  ? 

Does  yer  lub  de  Sunday  song 

When  de  week  is  o'er, 
Mountiu'  up  so  high  and  long 

To  de  hebbenly  shore  ? 

Dar  no  banjo,  dar  no  bird, 

Dar  no  meetin'  hymn, 
Sound  as  dis  yer  nigga  heard 
When  his  Missus  sing. 

"  Well  might  the  Major  pay  for  such  a  song.  I  will  be 
generous,  and  give  you  double  price,  and  as  much  more 
for  your  story,"  said  the  Priest,  handing  a  dollar  to  the  de- 
lighted negro.  Jumbo  had  evidently  expected  some  such 
result,  and  pocketed  the  money  with  that  characteristic 
laugh,  and  grin  only  exhibited  by  the  African.  Of  course 
he  became  a  fast  friend  of  the  Priest,  on  whose  part  the 
donation  was  as  much  a  calculation  as  had  been  the  music 
on  the  part  of  the  negro. 

But  just  at  this  point  of  the  journey  a  blaze  of  lights 
was  seen  on  a  hill,  arising  suddenly  from  the  very  edge 
of  the  water.  Behind  dark  trees  the  dim  crescent  of  the 
moon  hung  like  a  fairy-chariot,  waiting  for  some  beautiful 
queen  of  night  to  glide  into  its  graceful  curve,  and  drive 
with  beamy  reins  her  translucent  steeds  through  the  realms 
of  universal  air.  Also  the  music  of  a  military  band  broke 
in  mingling  sounds  upon  the  ear.  Soon  in  the  distance 
were  heard  merry  voices,  and  before  the  bright  windows 
were  seen  the  forms  of  flying  dancers. 

While  the  Priest  is  leaving  the  boat,  and  climbing 
9* 


102  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

the  hill,  we  will  take  a  nearer  survey  of  the  apartment. 
Crossing  the  threshold  we  stand  in  the  large  dining-room 
of  the  Magnolia  House.  The  chairs  and  tables  have  been 
removed,  and  piled  without,  close  along  the  wall  on  the 
broad  verandah  stretching  around  three  sides  of  the 
building.  Every  tree  on  the  sloping  lawn  is  hung  with 
lamps,  whose  beams  sparkle  in  the  fountain  jets,  while  the 
collected  radiance,  streaming  far  through  the  midnight, 
can  be  seen  for  miles.  Even  the  dark  peaks  of  the  sur- 
rounding mountains  are  faintly  revealed  and  gilded 
before  the  brilliance  expends  itself  in  space.  The  ex- 
hausting heats  of  a  sultry  summer  day  have  been  suc- 
ceeded by  a  delicious  breeze,  waving  in  the  light  the 
branches  of  the  grove,  and  imparting  such  coolness  to  the 
air,  that  even  the  flutter  of  a  fan  is  not  visible,  or  neces- 
sary. We  behold  in  our  view  the  beauty  and  chivalry  of 
the  South.  A  temporary  suspension  of  hostilities  has  col- 
lected together,  from  every  part  of  the  Confederacy,  men 
and  women  who  seek  forgetfulness  and  relief  from  the 
strain  and  intensity  of  their  feelings,  amid  the  gay  scenes 
of  a  fashionable  watering-place. 

Thus  between  the  blood  and  roar  of  battles  do  mortals 
sport,  regardless  of  the  carnage  which  has  preceded,  and 
reckless  of  the  slaughter  which  may  follow.  Here  are 
congregated,  in  somewhat  worn  and  faded  uniforms,  yet 
with  bright  scarfs  and  epaulettes,  officers  of  every  grade, 
interspersed  with  distinguished  civilians  in  grave  attire, 
and  elegant  ladies  dressed  splendidly  for  the  occasion. 
The  faces  of  the  men  are  usually  seamed  with  care,  and 
bronzed  with  war,  and  the  women  often  exhibit  passing 
shadows  from  heavy  hearts,  while  here  and  there  a  scar 
on  the  cheek,  an  arm  in  its  sling,  or  a  limp  in  the  gait, 
show  that  sword  and  bullet  have  left  behind  their  traces. 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  103 

Still,  for  the  moment,  the  strains  of  the  music,  and  the 
brilliance  of  the  lamps,  and  the  exhilaration  of  the  dance 
show  that  joy  will  soon  reign  supreme. 

We  can  only  now  pause  to  notice  especially  two  persons 
in  the  gay,  moving,  buzzing  crowd.     At  one  end  of  the" 
hall,  and  towering  above  all,  we  at  once  recognize  Major 
Worstal.     While  not  too  closely  scrutinized  we  admire 
him  for  his  striking  manly  majesty.     His  erect  form,  and 
huge  proportions,  in  contrast  with  the  inferior  group,  dis- 
play him  to  the  utmost  advantage.     His  shoulder-straps 
direct  our  attention  to  his  Herculean  shoulders,  and  his 
brilliant  flowing  scarf   tightly  drawn  around  his  waist, 
gives  fullness  to  his  broad  chest.     His  limbs,  powerful  yet 
tapering,  are  equally  suited  for  the  saddle  or  the  dance. 
When  we  approach,  the  thickness  of  his  lips,  a  certain 
animalism  of  the  cheeks,  chin,  and  neck,  and  a  sinister 
expression  in  two  unbecomingly  small,  and  deeply  im- 
bedded eyes,  detract  from  the  pleasure  excited  by  a  more 
remote  view.     On  his  arm  in  all  the  glow  of  her  rich 
Southern  beauty  is  Miss  Anna  Austin.    Since  we  last  saw 
her  she  has  developed  into  the  maturity  of  her  woman- 
hood.    But  lovely  as  she  is  in  form  and  feature,  her  chief 
attraction  is  that  expression  of  her  dark  eye,  and  that 
light  around  her  sweet  countenance,  which  denote  a  cul- 
tivated mind,  and  a  refined  heart.     She  moves  in  an  at- 
mosphere of  love.     Not  a  baby-negro  on  the  plantation 
who  does  not  smile  as  she  passes  through  the  cabin  on  her 
errand  of  kindness.     Not  a  black  mother  who  does  not 
brighten  as  she  stops  to  notice  a  sick  child,  or  inquire 
about  a  son,  or  husband  out  in  the  blaze  of  the  cotton- 
field.     Not  a  soldier  in  the  hospital  who  does  not  bless 
her  as  she  glides  among  the  wards,  like  an  angel,  to  cheer, 
and  relieve  the  suffering.     Not  an  officer  who  does  not 


104  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

take  off  his  hat  with  quick  salute  as  she  rides  along  the 
road,  or  through  the  encampment.  As  she  now  stands,  in 
simple  white,  with  a  diamond  on  her  breast,  and  a  rose  in 
her  hair,  hanging  on  the  arm  of  her  cousin,  it  seems  as  if 
womanly  beauty  was  leaning  on  manly  strength  to  gr.in 
attraction  from  the  contrast.  While  the  pair  stand 
waiting  for  the  music  to  begin  the  dance,  they  uncon- 
sciously draw  to  themselves  all  eyes  in  every  part  of  the 
vast  room.  Worstal  is  evidently  flushed  with  an  unusual 
excitement.  When  we  observe  him  closely  we  remark 
that  he  often,  and  ungracefully  shifts  from  one  foot  to 
the  other,  as  if  he  were  not  at  ease.  Indeed  he  beholds 
in  every  officer  a  dreaded  rival,  and  his  fear  has  again 
made  him  desperate.  Miss  Anna  is  there,  a  tempting,  ad- 
mired, brilliant  prize  in  the  very  midst  of  numbers  who 
utterly  eclipse  him  in  talents,  and  rank,  and  reputation, 
and  everything  but  his  grand  physical  proportions.  The 
vast  body  appears  almost  conscious  that  it  is  not  inhabited 
by  a  corresponding  soul,  and  the  whole  man,  flesh  and 
spirit,  exhibits  a  state  of  nervous  desperation.  The  Major 
has  determined  to  make  one  more,  possibly  a  last  effort. 
He  has  failed  in  seclusion !  he  may  succeed  amid  the 
multitude.  He  will  seize  some  opportunity  in  the  noise  of 
the  crowd,  to  make  real  the  visions  which  for  years  have 
been  floating  before  him  like  painted  morning  clouds. 
Owing  to  some  delay  in  the  arrangements  of  the  band  a 
moment  is  afforded  for  conversation. 

Bringing  his  steaming  face  near  the  soft  cheek  of  his 
cousin,  the  hair  on  either  lip  was  seen  to  move,  as  he 
whispered  in  the  gentlest  tone  he  could  command, 
"Anna,  you  always  look  best  on  horse-back,  or  in  the 
ball-room.     To-night  you  are  particularly  splendid." 

"Thank  you,  cousin  Henry,"  she  replied  looking  froru 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  105 

behind  her  fan  with  a  twinkling  eye,  and  a  gurgling 
laugh,  "I  cannot  say  that  you  have  always  appeared  to 
the  best  advantage  on  your  horse,  superbly  as  you  ride. 
One  instance  I  think  I  remember  when  your  equestrian 
costume  was  rendered  not  specially  becoming.  But  now 
you  are  magnificent,  and  I  am  proud  to  be  by  your  side." 

The  Major  grew  more  deeply  red  at  the  beginning  of 
these  words,  and  smiled  faintly  at  their  conclusion. 
Something  in  his  tone,  and  manner  had  revealed  to  Anna 
the  purposes  of  his  heart,  and  given  shape  to  her  answer. 
She  now  resolved  to  terminate  a  relation  becoming  con- 
stantly more  embarrassing.  Before  the  Major  could 
improve  his  opportunity  the  music  burst  in  sudden  strains 
over  the  hall,  and  soon  the  cousins  were  whirling  amid 
multitudinous  circling  forms  through  the  mazes  of  the 
dance.  Notwithstanding  the  allusion  to  the  discomfiture 
our  friend  Jumbo  so  graphically  described  to  the  Priest, 
Worstal  moved  with  the  beautiful  girl  in  all  the  conscious 
pride  of  splendid  appearance,  and  certain  triumph.  What 
precisely  transpired  between  him,  and  Miss  Austin  can 
never  certainly  be  known,  but  he  understood  during  that 
evening  she  would  never  be  his  wife.  His  pride  would 
have  prevented  an  exhibition  of  his  disappointment,  had 
not  some  other  circumstances  occurred  to  wound  him  in  a 
place  even  more  sensitive  than  his  heart.  He  is  suddenly 
abashed,  and  confounded.  His  confidence  vanishes.  His 
words  are  smothered  on  his  lips.  His  cheeks  burn  beneath 
their  hair.  His  very  form  droops,  and  sinks.  While  the 
dance  continues  the  immediate  cause  of  the  confusion 
does  not  appear.  But  when  the  music  ceases  suddenly, 
leaving  the  Major  and  his  cousin  in  a  part  of  the  hall  fur- 
ther from  the  verandah  door,  the  difficulty  discloses  itself. 

The  Major,  spurred  by  his  jealousy,  had  come  hurriedly 


106  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

to  the  springs  on  his  horse,  and  not  suitably  provided  for 
the  occasion,  so  that  he  was  compelled  to  "wear  his  enor- 
mous military  boots.  He  had  discovered  that  one  of  the 
high  heels  was  hanging  loosely,  and  must  soon  give  way ; 
and  the  anticipation  of  passing  through  the  hall  on  a 
limping  leg,  with  the  woman  on  his  arm  who  had  just 
rejected  his  advances,  stung  him  more  deeply  than  even 
her  unuttered,  but  unmistakable  refusal.  Indeed,  as  he 
moved  blushing  and  halting  along,  the  contrast  between 
the  pride  and  majesty  of  his  entrance,  and  the  dejection 
and  awkwardness  of  his  withdrawal,  was  sufficiently  amu- 
sing. Nor  did  the  winks,  and  nods,  and  nudges  of  his 
companions  in  arms  diminish  his  pain  and  desperation. 
While  Miss  Austin  had  expressed  herself  by  her  acts  rather 
than  her  words,  he  still  imagined  that  all  eyes  in  the  as- 
sembly had  read  his  rejection.  The  mortification  of  that 
hour  marked  his  character  for  life.  He  retired  from  the 
scene  at  the  earliest  opportunity,  disappointed,  chagrined, 
disgusted — a  volcano  of  burning  passions. 

As  he  stood  alone  in  his  room  he  ground  his  teeth,  and 
tore  his  beard,  and  swore  vengeance  against  any  man  who 
should  ever  dare  marry  Anna  Austin.  While  thus  trans- 
ported by  rage,  a  knock  was  heard,  and  the  Priest,  whom 
Jumbo  had  amused  in  his  skiff,  entered  the  apartment. 

"  Father  John,"  Worstal  exclaimed,  in  surprise,  "  what 
in  the  name  of  all  the  saints  has  brought  you  here  ?" 

Nothing  could  present  a  greater  contrast  than  the  jolly 
Priest  and  the  grim  Major.  After  roughly,  but  cordially 
shaking  hands,  Father  John  stepped  backward,  and  said 
playfully  to  his  old  friend,  "Henry,  I  have  just  been 
studying  your  countenance,  and  I  infer  from  certain  lines 
and  colors  that  your  dispositions  are  now  not  particu- 
larly pious.     When  you  invoke  me  in  the  name  of  the 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  107 

saints,  I  am  not  at  present  disposed  to  rank  you  among 
the  number." 

The  Priest  then  burst  into  peals  of  laughter.  The  flit 
on  his  huge  cheeks,  and  about  his  great  neck  waved  like 
a  river  rippling  in  a  breeze.  His  vast  paunch  shook  with 
sympathetic  merriment,  while  the  tears  coursed  down  his 
broad  face.  This  still  further  aggravated  WorstaPs  anger, 
and  he  uttered  the  most  startling  imprecations. 

"Beg  your  pardon,  Henry,"  at  last  said  Father  John, 
bringing  his  merriment  under  control,  "  but  Jumbo  rowed 
me  here  in  his  skiff,  diverting  me  on  the  way  by  de- 
scribing that  famous  ride  with  cousin  Anna.  Just  after- 
wards I  saw  you  limping  through  the  room  with  her  on 
your  arm,  your  understanding  sadly  disordered  by  the 
removal  of  its  sole  support,  and  your  gait  not  remarkably 
graceful.  The  two  things  together  have  been  too  much 
for  me." 

"Curse  Jumbo!"  shouted  Worstal,  "I  will  beat  the 
lying  nigger  to  death  with  his  oars,  and  throw  him  head- 
long from  his  skiff  to  the  fishes.  Curse  Anna  Austin !  I 
will  kill  the  first  man  who  offers  her  his  hand.  And  curse 
you  for  a  skulking  Priest,  Father  John,"  he  exclaimed,  as 
he  rushed  at  the  merry  ecclesiastic,  and  tried  to  clutch 
his  beefy  neck. 

The  enfolding  fat,  however,  proved  a  shield,  and  pre- 
vented strangulation.  TVith  a  marvellous  strength  and 
dexterity,  the  Priest  seized  the  soldier,  and  held  him  as  a 
boa  holds  an  ox,  until  his  passion  became  exhausted  in 
its  utter  helplessness.  Father  John  then  continued  to 
laugh  in  safety,  as  their  two  bulky  bodies  were  brought 
into  this  unexpected  contact. 

"A  warm  embrace,  Henry,"  he  said,  "is  bringing  our 


108  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

hearts  near  after  a  long  separation.  Surely  this  is  ardent 
friendship." 

Worstal  now  seeing  the  utter  absurdity  of  the  situation, 
began  himself  to  laugh,  and  the  Priest  perceiving  he 
incurred  no  further  danger,  relaxed  his  ponderous  arms, 
and  the  two  men  were  soon  quietly  seated. 

"  Father  John,"  began  the  Major,  "  we  have  not  met 
since  you  followed  my  poor  father  and  mother  to  the 
grave,  and  left  me  a  lonely  boy  on  my  plantation." 

"  And  yet,  Henry,"  said  the  Priest  with  a  mischievous 
laugh,  and  a  peculiar  wink  of  his  merry  eye.  "  You  have 
been  throttling  the  very  man  who  said  '  dust  to  dust '  over 
your  parents,  and  put  you  in  possession  of  your  estate." 

"  An  end  to  this,"  replied  the  Major  impatiently,  and 
with  some  stateliness,  and  dignity.  "  Are  you  not  afraid 
to  trust  your  great  carcass  over  the  confederate  lines  ?  I 
heard  of  you  last  as  a  chaplain  in  an  infernal  Yankee 
regiment." 

"  Oh,"  replied  the  Priest  with  a  sudden,  and  solemn 
gravity,  "  My  mission  is  for  holy  Mother  Church.  In 
peace,  or  war  she  knows  no  party.  We  are  after  souls, 
Major,  we  are  after  souls.  A  Priest's  gown  is  the  shield 
of  Heaven." 

"  But  the  Yankees  are  after  bodies,  Father  John,  and 
if  danger  is  in  proportion  to  flesh  I  know  of  no  two  men 
in  more  peril  than  you  and  myself." 

The  Priest  soon  disclosed  the  immediate  business  to  the 
Major,  and  received  from  linn  a  minute  account  of  the 
history  of  Charles  Austin,  with  every  particular  of  his 
family,  and  estate,  and  also  information  of  his  present 
rank,  locality,  and  military  prospects.  A  careful  record 
was  then  made  to  be  speedily  transmitted  to  Arthur 
Cleveland.     Father  John  communicated  his  intention   to 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  109 

remain  within  the  confederate  lines.  Soon  after  he  and 
"Worstal  retiring  were  buried  in  slumber  until  late  the 
next  morning. 

How  striking  the  presence  of  the  ecclesiastic,  under  the 
circumstances  narrated !  As  the  old  Rome  for  centuries, 
through  her  history  as  a  kingdom,  a  republic,  an  empire, 
sought  by  a  ubiquitous  army  to  compel  the  world  to  her 
temporal  dominion,  so  does  the  New  Koine,  perpetuating 
an  inherited  genius  for  supremacy,  endeavor  by  a  ubi- 
quitous Priesthood,  to  make  universal  her  spiritual  do- 
minion. And  certainly  the  spectacle  has  its  sublimity. 
Here  amid  all  the  passions  which  agitate  a  Republic  torn 
with  civil  war,  is  a  silent  and  pervading  agency,  regardless 
of  sectional  battles,  and  temporary  interests,  working  to 
establish  on  eternal  foundations  the  dynasty  of  its  Pontiff. 
Thus  the  artisans  of  the  deep,  defying  storm  and  wave, 
build  with  unobserved  skill,  and  industry,  vast  ocean- 
structures  stronger  than  tempest,  or  billow,  or  earthquake. 


10 


CHAPTER  XII. 

THE   SPY. 

"Mr.  Cleveland,"  said  Bishop  Frances,  as  he  sat  in 
hi3  study,  -with  the  gentleman  addressed,  "I  have  con- 
ceived a  capital  plan,  relating  to  yourself." 

"You  are  always  busy,  my  friend,"  he  replied,  "in 
instructing  my  ignorance,  and  advancing  my  welfare. 
May  I  inquire  what  your  new  project  is?" 

"I  have  been  reflecting,"  said  Frances,  "that  while 
your  gifts  are  evidently  best  suited  to  influence  the  more 
cultivated  classes  of  America,  that  yet  the  man  who  may 
shape  this  country  for  the  Church,  should  understand  the 
masses." 

"  If  I  could  indeed,  aspire  to  such  a  work,  I  should 
certainly  seek  the  knowledge  you  suggest.  But,  that* 
ambition  on  my  part  seems  absurd." 

"  My  dear  President,"  returned  the  Bishop,  "  a  scarlet 
hat  must  represent  St.  Peter  in  this  country,  and  the 
man  who  wears  it,  should  be  educated  for  his  mission." 

Cleveland  flushed  at  these  words,  into  a  redness  equal- 
ling the  reward  which  was  to  dazzle  round  his  brow.  "  I 
entreat  you,  Bishop,  do  not  return  to  this  subject,"  he 
exclaimed  hurriedly. 

"  Rome,"  resumed  Frances,  "  always  studies  the  popu- 
lace. The  Irish  and  the  Germans  in  this  country,  are 
ours  by  inheritance,  except  Orangemen  and  Turners, 
whom  we  consign  to  mother  earth,  and  father  Satan. 

"  The  Chinamen  will  easily  transfer  their  reverence  for 
110 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  Ill 

their  wise  Confucius,  into  adoration  of  our  infallible 
Pope;  and  the  worship  of  Boodh  and  Tau,  prepares  for 
the  invocation  of  Michael,  and  Mary.  Even  the  inherited 
fetish  of  the  African,  will  find  some  point  of  contact  in 
our  system.  The  Indian  will  prove  more  troublesome. 
His  singular  devotion  to  the  great  Spirit  alone,  without 
the  mediation  of  inferior  agents,  renders  him  indisposed, 
like  the  Jew,  and  the  Turk,  to  our  images,  and  saints. 
Even  the  old  Greeks  and  Eomans,  through  their  mythol- 
ogies, were  more  accessible.  You  perceive  how  our  Cath- 
olicity embraces  the  peculiarities  of  all  races,  and  is  broad 
as  humanity.  Now  you,  Mr.  Cleveland,  to  be  equipped 
for  your  work,  must  for  a  period  throw  yourself  among 
the  people.  Your  associations  have  been  tooo  exclu- 
sively aristocratic." 

"  I  am  willing,"  replied  the  disciple,  in  a  glow  of  young 
enthusiasm,  "to  endure  any  sacrifice,  and  perform  any 
labor  which  my  superiors  deem  necessary.  But  what  do 
you  propose  ?" 

"  It  is  my  opinion  that  you  had  better  obtain  a  chap- 
laincy in  one  of  the  armies ;  which,  of  course,  to  the 
Church,  differs  not.  She  is  above  party.  Father  John 
has  just  written  me  that  there  is  a  vacancy  in' the  regi- 
ment of  Colonel  Austin.  I  think  I  had  better  apply  im- 
mediately for  the  position." 

A  few  weeks  after  this  conversation,  two  men  singularly 
different  in  appearance,  stood  on  the  left  bank  of  the  Po- 
tomac, looking  earnestly  towards  the  opposite  shore.  An 
occasional  glance  behind  showed  that  they  had  some  ap- 
prehension of  danger  in  that  direction.  In  a  few  minutes 
a  skiff,  rowed  by  a  soldier  in  gray,  darted  out  of  a  cove 
beneath  the  right  bank  of  the  river,  and  came  swiftly  to 
the  bank  from  which  they  were  gazing.     When  the  boat 


112  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

reached  the  shore,  both  entered  in  silence,  and  were 
rapidly  ferried  across  the  stream.  The  taller,  and  more 
slender  of  the  two  persons  thus  transported  was  evidently 
a  gentleman.  Guided  by  the  soldier,  he  proceeded  to  a 
small  and  worn  hand-trunk,  and  taking  from  it  a  suit  of 
Confederate  gray,  soon  appeared  in  the  uniform  of  an 
army  chaplain.  Arthur  Cleveland  was  thus  commencing 
the  new  duty  assigned  by  his  superior.  The  soldier  who 
had  conducted  him  to  the  spot,  after  giving  directions  for 
their  brief  journey  to  the  Southern  army,  disappeared, 
and  our  old  friend  was  speedily  walking  along  the  road 
with  his  new  and  singular  companion,  The  man  was  in 
the  garb  of  a  peddler.  His  entire  aspect  was  puzzling  and 
ambiguous.  His  face  had  some  traces  of  a  German 
origin,  but  his  conversation  indicated  a  birth  in  one  of 
those  provinces  where  French  is  the  prevailing  language. 
Nothing  could  exceed  the  agility  of  his  small  form,  the 
piercing  brightness  of  his  eye,  or  the  play  of  animation 
and  intelligence  on  his  countenance,  so  that  there  seemed 
an  incongruity  between  his  pack  and  his  attire. 

As  they  plodded  along  together  over  an  uninteresting 
road,  Cleveland  said  to  his  companion,  whose  name  he 
had  ascertained,  "  I  presume,  Nathan,  that  this  war  has 
greatly  increased  the  profits  of  your  trade."  . 

"Oui,  Monsieur,"  replied  the  peddler,  "where  de 'Men- 
can  get  de  lead  de  Jew  get  de  gold." 

"  You  must  find  it  dangerous,"  returned  Cleveland 
smiling  at  the  answer,  "  to  be  passing  from  army  to  army 
with  your  goods." 

Nathan  turned  towards  him  with  a  twinkle  of  the  most 
significant  cunning.  His  face  appeared  to  beam  with  the 
very  enthusiasm  of  his  craft.  He  said  with  a  species  of 
mock  gravity,  "You  say  de  truth,  Monsieur  Priest.     'Tis 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  113 

von  veritie.  But  de  peril  make  de  profit.  I  visite  de  con- 
federate camp.  I  risk  dis  neck,"  and  here  he  clutched, 
dramatically,  with  his  small  fingers,  that  imperilled  part 
of  his  body,  "  I  see  vat  dcy  vant,  I  advise  de  partners  in 
de  metropolis.  JDey  bring  de  goods,  and  make  one  soon, 
vast,  huge  profite — two,  tree,  five  hundrede  per  cent." 

"Now  I  perceive,"  answered  Cleveland,  "how  the 
Israelites  are  amassing  from  this  war  their  rapid  wealth." 
"  Ha,  ha,  ha,"  laughed  Nathan,  "  De  unyon  and  de  reb, 
wid  dere  swords  and  dere  muskets,  build  our  great  splen- 
did stores,  and  de  palace,  and  de  synagogue,  and  de  temple 
for  de  Jew."  Then  stretching  his  hand  behind,  and 
striking  his  pack  significantly,  he  added,  "  Dis  civile  war, 
Monsieur  Priest,  give  us  no  wounds  and  scars,  but  de 
stocks  and  de  monies." 

"  However,"  interrupted  Cleveland,  "  is  it  right  to  take 
advantage  of  the  national  necessity  ?  It  seems  like  trading 
in  the  blood  of  our  people,  and  getting  fortunes  from  their 
graves." 

"Ha!  H&!  Ha!"  responded  Nathan  with  a  shrewd 
leer.  "  De  bisness  of  de  Jew  is  de  monies.  De  friend  of 
de  Jew  is  de  monies.  De  countrie  of  de  Jew  is  de  monies. 
De  life  of  de  Jew  is  de  monies." 

"  But  how  does  it  now  happen  that  you  are  buying  lots 
and  building  houses,  while  once  you  had  only  personal 
property,  so  that,  bound  to  no  other  land,  you  could  at 
any  time  return  to  your  own?  Have  you  lost  faith  in 
your  religion  ?" 

"Ah,"  replied  Nathan,  lifting  up  his  eyebrows,  and 
elongating  his  face,  "  de  monie  better  dan  de  prophecie  ; 
a  house  for  ourself  dan  de  promise  for  our  cheeldrens ;  a 
store  on  de  Broadway  dan  de  hope  in  Jerusalem." 


10* 


114  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

"  Do  you  then  no  longer  expect  restoration  to  the  holy 
land?" 

"  By  gar,"  said  Nathan,  "  de  monie  fulfil  de  prophecie  ; 
de  monie  buy  from  de  Turk  de  citie  of  Daveede ;  de  monie 
make  de  meellenneeum." 

"Then  your  creed,"  rejoined  Cleveland,  "begins  and 
ends,  I  believe,  in  money." 

"  And  vat,  Monsieur  Priest,  is  your  creede,  ven  vidout 
de  monie  de  souls  burn  in  de  flame  of  de  purgatorie  by  de 
word  of  de  infalleebelle  Pope  ?" 

"  Ah,  Nathan,  I  discover  that  you  neither  believe  in  an 
infallible  Scripture,  an  infallible  Messiah,  or  an  infallible 
Pope." 

The  Jew  stopped  and  laid  his  hands  on  Cleveland's 
arms,  gazing  piercingly  into  his  face,  and  said,  emphati- 
cally shaking  his  head,  "No,  no,  no, — never  in  de  in- 
falleebelle Pope.  Do  de  Pope  eat  ?  Do  de  Pope  drink  ? 
Do  de  Pope  sleep  ?  Do  de  Pope  go  craze  wid  de  fever  ? 
Do  de  Pope  grow  old  ?  Do  de  Pope  die  ?  Do  de  Pope 
turn  to  de  dust  ?  Do  de  Pope  feed  de  worm  ?  If  de  Pope 
be  mortale  in  dese  tings  he  be  mortale  to  err." 

Cleveland  winced  under  the  shrewd  thrusts  of  the  Jew. 
They  touched  him  more  deeply  than  a  labored  argument 
provoking  a  studied  reply,  where  the  force  of  his  adver- 
sary's reasoning  would  have  been  lost  in  his  effort  to 
furnish  a  learned  answer.  But  just  at  this  point  of  the 
conversation  appeared  two  persons  on  horseback,  evidently 
subordinate  Confederate  officers,  and  fully  armed  with 
sword,  pistol,  and  musket.  One  was  a  man  of  gigantic 
frame  and  powerful  muscle.  The  other  was  pale,  at- 
tenuated, and  diminutive,  but  wild  in  his  expression  and 
determined  in  his  air.  A  cloud  of  dust  enveloped  the 
horsemen  as  they  rode  furiously  toward   our   travelers. 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  115 

Both  drew  the  rein  as  they  approached.  The  smaller 
equestrian,  leaping  to  the  ground,  demanded  Cleveland's 
passport,  while  the  larger,  dismounting,  seized  the  Jew 
with  the  utmost  violence,  and  taking  from  his  pocket  a 
stout  rope  bound  him  tightly  by  the  wrists.  Nathan 
submitted  to  the  disagreeable  operation  with  a  perfect 
composure.  Cleveland,  having  satisfied  the  inquisition  of 
the  officer,  proceeded  to  inquire  the  cause  of  this  strange 
violence  to  his  companion. 

"  This  cursed  dog,"  exclaimed  his  captor,  "  is  no  Jew, 
but  a  Yankee  spy.  Our  order  is  to  escort  you,  Mr.  Priest, 
to  the  camp,  and  hang  this  rascal  on  the  first  tree." 

"But  certainly,"  said  Cleveland,  in  a  tone  and  manner 
of  great  excitement  and  alarm,  "you  will  give  him  an 
opportunity  of  trial  before  execution  ?" 

"  I  have  no  discretion,"  replied  the  soldier,  grimly,  and 
chewing  more  vigorously  the  tobacco-cud  between  his  long 
teeth.  "  Only  last  week  the  villain  came  to  our  camp  dis- 
guised as  a  nigger.  We  soon  discovered  the  cheat,  tore 
off  his  wool,  and  removed  his  soot,  and  were  taking  him  to 
be  shot,  when  he  burst  from  the  guard,  ran  for  the  woods, 
and  dashed  into  the  river.  A  hundred  muskets  blazed 
after  him  as  he  swam,  but  he  was  unstruck.  Beaching 
the  opposite  shore  dripping  and  nearly  naked,  he  most 
provokingly  applied  his  thumb  to  his  nose  to  signify  his 
triumph  and  contempt." 

The  officer  then  turned  towards  Nathan  with  a  glare 
of  savage  vengeance,  and  said  between  his  teeth,  while  he 
shook  his  huge  fist  over  his  victim.  "The  dog  shall  die 
without  trial,  and  without  mercy."  During  the  progress 
of  this  conversation,  Nathan  stood  calm,  scrutinizing  the 
faces  of  his  executioners  as  he  would  have  examined  the 
countenance  of  an  expected  purchaser.    Nothing  could 


116  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

have  been  noticed  peculiar  in  his  demeanor  except  when 
the  gaze  of  the  officers  was  for  a  moment  withdrawn, 
Cleveland  observed  him,  with  a  sly  wink,  and  a  peculiar 
smile,  elevate  his  tied  hands,  while  by  their  awkward 
movements,  and  a  peculiar  jerk  of  his  head,  he  seemed 
attempting  some  adjustment  about  his  neck.  The  party 
then  passed  on  until  they  came  to  a  wood  skirting  both 
sides  of  the  road.  A  sapling  was  deliberately  selected  by 
the  officers,  and  their  united  strength  bent  it  to  the 
ground.  A  rope  was  then  tied  around  the  neck  of  Nathan 
without  the  slightest  remonstrance,  or  resistance  on  his 
part.  Cleveland  thought  that  he  noticed  again  the  same 
equivocal  expression  almost  of  amusement  playing  over 
his  face  which  he  had  observed  before. 

The  tree  having  been  held  by  the  two  confederates 
firmly  in  its  bent  position  was  suddenly  let  loose,  and  the 
spy  flew  violently  upward,  dangling,  and  struggling,  high 
in  the  air.  One  of  the  officers  levelled  at  the  suspended 
form  his  musket  to  make  sure  work,  when  hearing  a  voice 
on  the  road,  he  lowered  his  piece,  and  turning  around  did 
not  resume  his  purpose,  supposing  that  the  bullet  was  not 
necessary  to  complete  the  work  of  the  rope.  Cleveland 
was  astounded,  and  sickened  by  this  first  experience  of 
the  cruelties  of  war,  and  turning  his  gaze  from  the  body 
of  Nathan,  now  hanging  still,  with  an  occasional  con- 
vulsive quiver  shaking  the  branches,  and  leaves  of  the 
tree,  he  perceived  that  Charles  Austin,  was  seated  on  his 
horse,  just  behind  him,  also  looking  upon  this  sad  specta- 
cle of  death.  He  at  once  moved  towards  his  former 
pupil,  while  the  joy  of  the  meeting  banished  every  shadow 
from  his  face.  The  Colonel  was  equally  pleased  to  see  his 
new  Chaplain. 

After  the  most  cordial  greetings  had  been  exchanged, 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  117 

Austin,  pointing  to  the  body  of  the  .spy,  said  :  "  Ah,  Mr. 
President,"  using  the  old  title,  "  that  is  worse  punishment 
than  our  Faculty  inflicted  on  mischievous  Freshmen  and 
defiant  Sophomores.  But  the  necessities  of  war  are  im- 
perative. I  had  information  the  rascal  was  comiDg,  and 
solemn  as  is  this  scene,  I  must  smile  to  find  you  traveling 
to  our  camp  in  such  company.  Please  mount  this  horse, 
which  Jim  has  led  here  for  you,  and  the  remainder  of 
your  journey  will  be  more  comfortable,  and,  I  trust,  in 
better  society." 

Cleveland  gladly  acceded  to  the  offer,  and  the  two 
gentlemen  were  soon  riding  side  by  side  conversing,  as  if 
they  had  never  witnessed  the  ghastly  spectacle  they  were 
rapidly  leaving  behind. 

"  I  hope,  my  dear  Chaplain,"  said  the  Colonel,  "you  will 
be  pleased  with  your  new  vocation.  If  war  has  its  sor- 
rows, it  also  has  its  joys.  To  promote  your  comfort,  and 
enjoy  your  company,  I  have  ordered  a  hammock  for  you 
in  my  own  tent,  should  you  choose  to  share  the  quarters 
of  your  old  pupil." 

"Thank  you,  my  dear  Charles,  thank  you,"  replied 
Cleveland,  intensely  gratified  with  so  friendly  and  thought- 
ful an  arrangement.  "  Nothing  could  suit  better.  The 
pleasure  of  your  company  will  be  a  compensation  for  all 
my  privations." 

As  these  words  were  concluded,  the  party  reached  the 
summit  of  a  hill,  from  which  the  confederate  camp  burst 
upon  their  view.  There  was  an  involuntary  halt  to 
survey  the  scene.  Austin  kindled,  while  he  gazed.  His 
eye  flashed.  His  face  glowed.  His  form  dilated.  His  soul 
seemed  beaming  with  enthusiasm  through  his  body. 

Standing  in  his  stirrups,  and  lifting  himself  from  his 
horse,  he  leaned  forward,  and  pointing,  with  his  gloved 


118  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

hand,  lie  exclaimed:  "See!  how  grandly  that  banner 
floats  in  the  setting  sun !  My  heart  beats  in  sympathy 
with  every  waving  fold.  It  may  pass  through  storms  of 
bullets  and  balls,  and  shells.  It  may  be  torn  on  many  a 
field  of  carnage.  It  may  be  stained  with  the  blood  of 
friend  and  foe  before  its  day  of  triumph.  But  it  shall  fly 
victorious  over  the  capital  of  the  Confederacy,  even  if 
my  body  lies  ghastly  beneath  its  glory.  Pardon  me,  Mr. 
Cleveland.  I  am  ashamed  of  my  excitement.  I  know 
you  have  renounced  the  world  for  the  Church,  and  cannot 
feel,  as  I  do,  the  inspiration  of  such  a  spectacle." 

"My  dear  Colonel,"  replied  the  chaplain,  "I  shall 
never  mingle  in  any  discussions  in  regard  to  this  deplo- 
rable controversy.  My  mission  is  to  relieve  suffering  and 
save  souls.  The  Church,  and  not  the  country,  claims  my 
devotion.  Still  I  can  understand  the  glow  of  your  own 
consecration,  by  feeling  the  ardor  of  my  own." 

And  certainly  the  scene  beneath  their  feet  was  adapted 
to  inspire  the  emotions  we  have  recorded.  The  encamp- 
ment was  situated  in  a  cultivated  valley,  encircled  by 
high  hills,  through  which,  between  green  banks  overhung 
by  trees,  wandered  a  mountain  stream.  Its  waters  sparkled 
and  purpled  in  the  last  beams  of  day,  mirroring  beneath 
the  tents  the  mingled  verdure  of  leaves  and  whiteness  of 
canvass.  In  the  centre  rose  an  immense  pavilion,  over 
which  floated  the  magnificent  standard  to  which  Austin 
had  pointed  with  such  enthusiasm.  On  every  side  stood 
rows  of  tents.  Within  a  large  enclosure,  were  drilling 
numerous  bodies  of  troops,  whose  bayonets  were  glancing 
in  the  slanting  light,  while  officers  were  riding  rapidly 
from  point  to  point,  waving  their  swords,  which  seemed 
flashing  in  circles  of  fire.  The  rattling  of  arms,  and  the 
shouts  of  command,  could  occasionally  be  faintly  heard, 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  119 

when  the  breeze  blew  more  strongly.  Behind  the  opposite 
hill,  the  sun  was  apparentl)r  poised  on  the  tree-tops,  and 
then  sinking  and  wavering,  a  crescent  of  flame  gleamed 
through  the  branches.  Suddenly  a  peal  of  music  burst 
from  the  band,  mellowed  by  the  distance.  While  Austin 
and  Cleveland  are  riding  down  the  hill,  and  proceeding 
leisurely  to  their  tent,  we  will  relate  what  was  transpiring 
in  another  part  of  the  country. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

woman's   sphere. 

Utter  desolation  pervaded  the  heart  of  Mrs.  Cleveland 
when  the  violence  of  her  grief  expended  itself.  Every 
object  in  her  home  recalled  a  happy  past,  and  became  an 
arrow  in  her  heart.  Thus  her  joys  were  causes  of  tears. 
When  she  pressed  Ada  to  her  hosom  each  feature  of  her 
countenance  recalled  the  image  of  her  father.  If  she 
visited  the  grave  of  Ella,  she  always  fancied  standing  over 
it  the  form  of  her  husband.  Yet  amid  her  trials  she  re- 
tained confidence  in  Heaven.  Indeed,  her  conviction  that 
Cleveland  would  be  eventually  reclaimed  constantly 
strengthened.  She  was  greatly  comforted  in  the  midst  of 
her  sorrows  by  receiving  a  letter  from  Mary  Ellingwood, 
breathing  the  most  delicate  sympathy,  and  containing  a 
cordial  invitation  to  Willow-Shade.  The  Judge  added  a 
postscript  urging,  in  a  paternal  manner,  an  immediate 
compliance  with  his  daughter's  request. 

Mrs.  Cleveland,  having  previously  returned  to  her 
ancestral  Presbyterian  faith,  made  her  preparations,  and 
in  a  few  days,  accompanied  by  Ada,  was  most  hospitably 
received  by  friends,  whose  kindness  increased  as  trials 
multiplied.  A  bright  New  England  May,  amid  the 
fragrance  of  roses,  the  bloom  of  orchards,  the  sparkle  of 
streams,  and  the  song  of  birds,  restored,  in  some  measure, 
a  widowed  spirit  to  its  wonted  cheerfulness. 

Mrs.  Cleveland  and  Mary  Ellingwood  sat  one  morning 

120 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  121 

on  a  bank  at  the  foot  of  the  garden.  Above  them  was  a 
large  willow,  whose  tapering  boughs  waved  dripping  in  a 
brook,  making  the  softest  music  with  their  gentle  motion. 
We  will  approach  them  in  the  midst  of  an  earnest  con- 
versation. The  object  of  Mary  had  been  to  draw  the 
mind  of  her  friend  from  the  contemplation  of  her  sorrows, 
and  she  had  completely  succeeded. 

Coming  near,  we  hear  Mrs.  Cleveland  exclaim,  with  the 
greatest  animation  and  emphasis,  "Never,  Mary,  will  I 
believe,  never,  that  the  sphere  of  our  sex  was  intended  to 
be  what  many  of  our  female  lecturers  and  writers  so  vio- 
lently maintain." 

"  Miss  Humly,  for  instance,"  said  Mary,  with  a  bright 
laugh, "  who  never  can  get  a  husband,  and  Mrs.  Stinger,  who 
can  never  live  with  her  husband.  As  Ned  says,  if  women 
are  to  be  wasps  or  butterflies,  he  prefers  the  butterflies." 

Mrs.  Cleveland  smiled,  but  proceeded  in  her  own  graver 
manner.  "  The  delicate  organization  of  woman  indicates 
that  she  was  intended  for  retirement.  Certain  pursuits 
heretofore  restricted  to  men  should  certainly  be  opened  to 
her  ambition.  While  often  succeeding  as  a  physician, 
yet  in  surgery  are  necessary  operations  from  which  she 
recoils,  and  which  would  roughen  her  into  a  disgusting 
masculinity." 

"  I  was  tempted,  not  long  since,"  rejoined  Mary,  "  to 
hear  one  of  the  strong-minded  defend  the  rights  of  the 
sex.  In  attire  she  was  neither  man  nor  woman,  but  a 
mixture  of  both.  She  was  evidently  a  male  spirit  in 
female  flesh.  Her  face  was  in  bass,  perhaps  brass,  and 
her  tone  was  in  treble.  She  complained  of  oppression, 
and  glared  defiance.  She  plead  for  masculine  privileges 
in  a  feminine  voice,  whose  squeak  was  her  refutation. 
Her  mistake  was  in  supposing  all  women  like  herselfl 
11 


122  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

inclined  more  to  fight  than  love.  If  she  were  right,  I  am 
sure  our  sex  would  soon  govern  the  world,  and  the  men 
retire  in  disgust  to  the  kitchen  and  the  nursery." 

"  Well,  Mary,"  answered  Mrs.  Cleveland,  "  your  words 
are  graphic  as  colors,  and  they  lose  nothing  from  your 
manner.  And  now  suppose  woman  admitted  to  the 
ballot.  How  repulsive  to  have  her  opinions  discussed  by 
the  town,  and  her  vote  made  the  subject  of  bets  as  well 
as  of  speculations !  The  secret  ballot  is  a  public  wrong, 
and  imagine  a  lady  pushing  through  a  yelling  and  insult- 
ing crowd,  to  decide  some  excited  political  contest. 
Besides,  there  are  certain  periods  in  the  history  of  the 
mother  when  seclusion  is  essential  to  delicacy,  health,  and 
even  life.  God  Himself  has  placed  between  us  and  many 
positions  and  employments  His  own  eternal  barrier.  The 
very  form  of  man  indicates  that  he  was  intended  both  for 
the  sterner  pursuits  of  peace  and  the  dreadful  struggles 
of  war." 

"  When,"  added  Mary,  "  the  rougher  masculine  nature 
requires  to  be  soothed,  and  refined  amid  the  quiet  scenes 
of  home,  let  our  women  become  Amazons,  and  where  will 
be  the  influence  of  mother,  and  wife,  and  sister?  Those 
images  of  love  which  soften  and  elevate,  would  vanish 
from  the  world.  Our  race  would  degenerate  into  vulgar 
brutality.  The  touch  of  womanhood  not  only  beautifies 
but  preserves  society." 

"  Moreover,"  interposed  Mrs.  Cleveland,  "  If  we  vote, 
we  should  fight.  We  can  claim  no  privileges  we  can- 
not defend.  The  ballot  implies  the  sword.  Imagine  a 
company  of  women  marching  against  a  blazing  battery, 
or  firing  from  a  ship  wrapped  in  flames  and  shattered  by 
shells !  Conceive  a  female  Farragut  before  the  thunders 
of  Fort  Philip !" 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  123 

"Preposterous!"  cried  Mary,  greatly  amused  at  the 
picture.  Then  laughingly  holding  up  the  needle  and 
scissors  she  had  been  using  in  work  for  the  soldiers,  she 
said:  "Behold  the  suggestive  weapons  of  our  warfare! 
It's  ours  to  heal  and  not  to  wound ;  to  nurse,  and  not  to 
kill ;  to  be  angels  of  mercy,  and  not  ministers  of 
destruction." 

"  And  I  often  think,"  rejoined  Mrs.  Cleveland,  "  that  a 
devotion  of  my  whole  life  to  relieve  suffering  is  a  duty  I 
owe  to  my  country  and  my  race.  The  yearning  to  forget 
myself  by  assuaging  the  miseries  of  others  is  almost 
irrepressible." 

These  words  thrilled  the  heart  of  Mary  Ellingwood. 
She  arose  from  the  grass,  and  stood  before  her  friend, 
glowing  in  the  beautiful  light  of  her  young  womanhood. 
A  tear  trembled  in  her  blue  eye.  Her  voice  melted  into 
tender  tones  of  sympathy.  A  halo  appeared  to  encircle 
her  white  brow. 

"  Mrs.  Cleveland,"  she  exclaimed,  "  you  have  touched 
a  responsive  chord.  While  my  noble  brother,  and 
thousands  of  our  'soldiers  are  enduring  privation,  and 
braving  death  for  our  flag,  I  reproach  my  indolence, 
contented  amid  the  winter  blaze,  or  beneath  the  summer 
shade,  to  scrape  lint  and  cut  bandages.  Let  us  go  with 
our  sisters !  Let  us  seek  the  wounded  and  the  dying ! 
Let  us  labor  in  the  hospital  and  on  the  battle-field! 
Pardon  me  if  I  have  transgressed  delicacy  by  suggesting 
what  should  have  proceeded  from  yourself  as  the  older, 
and  the  wiser,  and  attribute  my  boldness  to  the  excite- 
ment caused  by  your  own  words." 

Mrs.  Cleveland  had,  however,  caught  the  enthusiam. 
Arising  also  from  the  bank  where  she  reclined,  she 
clasped  Mary  in  her  arms,  and  bathed  her  in  her  tears ; 


124  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

and  then  and  there,  beneath  that  willow-shade,  and  on 
the  margin  of  that  bright  stream,  these  Christian  women 
resolved,  in  their  appointed  sphere,  to  devote  themselves 
to  the  relief  of  their  countrymen.  Heaven  approved 
their  vows,  and  prepared  their  way  to  scenes  of  organized 
usefulness,  amid  which  they  were  to  feel  themselves  parte 
of  a  vast  system  of  benevolence,  reflecting  glory  on  the 
nation  and  the  age.  They  had  scarcely  concluded  the 
conversation  we  have  narrated,  when  the  venerable  form 
of  Judge  Ellingwood  was  seen  approaching. 

"Why,  Mrs.  Cleveland,"  he  exclaimed,  playfully, 
"  Willow-shade  is  no  spot  for  tears.  If  I  find  you  here 
with  such  a  sad  face  I  will  cut  down  these  trees,  and  call 
my  place  Vine-side.  The  grape  is  the  emblem  of  joy,  and 
you  know  I  love  cheerfulness." 

"  Dear  father,"  responded  Mary,  "  Mrs.  Cleveland  and 
myself  have  been  conversing  on  serious  subjects." 

"You  astonish  me,  Mary,"  replied  the  Judge,  with  a 
smile  of  playful  incredulity.  "  You  too  sober !  Impossi- 
ble !  My  grave  willows  will  turn  themselves  into  vines 
witb  as  much  ease  as  you  will  get  the  mischief  out  of  your 
eyes,  and  the  smile  away  from  your  lips.  "What  does  all 
this  mean  ?" 

"  Your  daughter,"  answered  Mrs.  Cleveland,  "  and  my- 
self have  been  talking  about  our  suffering  soldiers.  We 
wish  to  give  our  efforts  as  well  as  our  prayers  to  their 
relief." 

Judge  Ellingwood  started  at  this  suggestion,  and  was 
greatly  affected.  He  stood  a  moment  absorbed  in  reflec- 
tion. Then  stooping  down  he  took  the  hand  of  Mary, 
and  affectionately  kissed  her  cheek. 

"  My  child,"  he  replied,  looking  down  upon  her  with 
mingled  love  and  admiration,  "  I  shrink  from  the  desola- 


THE    AMERICAN    CARDINAL.  125 

tion  my  age  will  experience  in  your  absence.  My  home 
will  indeed  be  lonely  and  my  heart  oppressed.  Yet  I  can- 
not withhold  my  assent.  I  have  laid  my  son  on  the  altar 
of  his  country,  and  I  am  willing  to  place  my  daughter  by 
his  side." 

"  Oh,  dear  father,"  exclaimed  Mary,  kneeling  and  bow- 
ing reverently  her  graceful  head,  "  let  me  have  your  bless- 
ing!" 

Mrs.  Cleveland  was  instantly  in  the  same  posture  by 

the  side  of  her  friend.  The  Judge,  placing  a  hand  on  the 
brow  of  each,  looked  up  to  Heaven,  and  silently  com- 
mended their  plans  and  their  persons  to  Almighty  God. 


11* 


CHAPTER    XIV, 


A    FIGHTING    PARSON. 


"Mr.  Gordon,"  said  Edward  Ellingwood  to  an 
immense  man  standing  by  his  side  on  the  deck  of  a 
steamer,  "  what  can  be  the  explanation  of  these  move- 
ments ?  We  have  digged  across  an  island,  and  cut 
through  a  swamp,  and  our  work  is  all  to  be  abandoned. 
We  are  ordered  on  to-morrow  to  turn  our  boats  in  the  op- 
posite direction," 

"General,"  replied  the  stalwart  Chaplain,  "trust 
Grant  and  the  Almighty.  Old  Fort  Donaldson  has  been 
in  his  furnace  since  he  came  to  Mississippi." 

"  Furnace  !  Parson,  furnace !"  replied  Ellingwood, 
laughing,  u  he  has  seen  more  water  than  fire.  He  has 
been  rather  in  bayous  than  flames." 

"  Beg  your  pardon,  General,"  said  the  Parson,  with  a 
majestic  air,  and  a  lofty  wave  of  the  hand.  "Moral  fur- 
nace, I  meant,  moral  furnace!" 

"Well,  Gordon,"  answered  Ellingwood,  greatly  di- 
verted, "  we  are  tired  with  a  long  day's  labor,  in  forcing 
our  way  through  vines,  and  trees,  and  over  logs,  and  alli- 
gators. Let  us  improve  the  silence  and  coolness  of  the 
evening,  by  a  further  discussion  of  your  views." 

The  Parson  looked  pleased.  As  the  full  southern  moon 
is  pouring  over  him  her  light,  through  waving  limbs,  and 
festooning  vines,  in  her  bright  beam,  -we  may  observe  his 
person.  His  proportions  are  strikingly  grand ;  his  height 
exceeding  six  feet  by  several  inches.     He  is  bony,  and 

126 


THE    AMERICAN    CARDINAL.  127 

sturdy,  although  with  a  slight  stoop,  and  a  sunken  chest. 
His  eye  is  blue,  and  his  voice  has  a  marvellous  and  power- 
ful penetration.  His  hands  are  in  perpetual  motion,  and, 
indeed,  the  whole  man  overflows  with  an  excess  of  ner- 
vous influence,  magnetizing  with  an  infectious  restlessness 
all  who  approach  him,  so  that  you  lose  your  ease  the 
moment  you  are  in  his  presence.  While  gifted  with  a 
vigorous  intellect,  and  a  vivid  fancy,  and  a  true  heart,  a 
defect  of  early  education  has  not  lessened  his  natural 
vanity.  He  walks  and  talks  as  if  he  thought  the  zenith 
was  always  particularly  over  the  head  of  the  Rev.  Granite 
Gordon,  while  the  creation  was  circling  round  him  in 
obeisance. 

"  General  Ellingwood,"  he  began,  after  a  short  silence, 
"  Grant  is  iron.  The  age  is  iron.  We  have  iron  rail- 
ways, iron  locomotives,  iron  telegraphs,  iron  cannon,  iron 
ships,  iron  houses.  Iron  will  knock  over  nobles,  kings, 
the  pope  himself.  Iron  will  usher  in  the  world's  mil- 
lenium  of  liberty." 

"  I  thought,"  replied  Ellingwood,  smiling,  at  the  incon- 
gruity between  the  Parson's  vocation  and  opinions,  "  that 
the  Gospel  was  to  achieve  this  mighty  work  for  hu- 
manity." 

"Iron,"  answered  Gordon,  with  an  imposing  shake  of 
the  finger  and  emphatic  nod  of  his  huge  head,  "  is  the 
John  the  Baptist  crying  in  the  wilderness  to  prepare  the 
way.  The  yell  of  the  locomotive,  and  the  roar  of  the 
cannon  are  heralds  of  the  coming  glory." 

"But  what  connection,"  interrupted  Ellingwood,  "has 
these  views  with  General  Grant  and  these  miserable 
bayous  ?" 

"  The  iron  men  in  this  age  and  nation  alone  succeed. 
Even  on  Wall  street  iron  makes  gold.    Iron  builds  our 


128  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

palaces  along  our  Metropolitan  avenues.  The  days  of 
gilded  kingship,  and  silvered  aristocracy,  and  brazen  eccle- 
siasticisni  have  yielded  to  iron.  Now  Grant  is  iron — a 
man  of  his  age — and  Mississippi  is  his  furnace,  and  he 
will  come  out  of  it  like  a  Parrot-ball  and  knock  this  rebel- 
lion into  fragments." 

"  Well,  Parson,  you  are  an  iron  prophet,"  said  Elling- 
wood, laughing  so  loudly  that  the  guard  on  the  deck 
stopped  his  round,  and  three  sleepers  from  below  showed 
their  heads  above  the  stair-hatch,  "but  your  predictions 
are  all  golden,  and  I  accept  your  theory.  Inspired  by 
your  faith  we  will  turn  round  our  boats  with  glad  hearts. 
Now  grant  me  one  more  favor." 

"  Anything,  anything !"  he  replied,  with  the  most  em- 
phatic and  affectionate  earnestness.  "Granite  Gordon 
will  oblige  General  Ellingwood  at  any  sacrifice,  as  soon  as 
he  would  preach  to  a  sinner  or  fight  a  rebel." 

"  My  brave  Chaplain,"  responded  the  General,  "  I  owe 
my  life  to  your  courage,  and  yet  have  never  before  had 
time  to  learn  the  particulars  from  your  own  lips.  Let  me 
have  the  story." 

"  Certainly,  General,  certainly,"  said  Gordon.  "  Hah ! 
hah !  hah !"  he  roared  until  his  voice  rang  into  the  night, 
startling  the  silence  of  the  moonlit  swamp.  "I  never 
could  tell  since  that  immortal  hour  whether  I  was  bom  to 
fight  sin  or  fight  the  rebs." 

"  Perhaps,"  interrupted  Ellingwood,  laughingly,  "  your 
vocation  is  to  fight  both." 

"  Very  likely,"  replied  the  Parson.  "  My  motto  is 
Methodism  and  the  Union  against  the  kingdom  of  Satan 
and  the  hydra  of  Secession." 

"  Keturning  to  my  request,"  anxiously  exclaimed  the 
General,  knowing  his  Chaplain's  grandiloquence  on  these 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  129 

themes  would  only  terminate  with  the  morning  dawn,  "  I 
have  always  been  puzzled  to  know  where  you  obtained 
the  sword  and  pistol  with  which  you  executed  such  fearful 
destruction  on  my  enemies,  and  delivered  me  from  a  fright- 
ful death." 

Gordon  drew  himself  up  in  the  bright  light  of  the 
moon,  saying,  "  General  Ellingwood,  I  was  born  among 
the  Penobscot  pines.  Nature  wrote  on  my  soul,  Soldier ; 
Grace  blotted  over  the  words,  and  substituted,  Parson. 
But  in  the  battle-blaze,  the  old  inscription  comes  out  ef- 
facing the  new,  as  letters  made  by  indelible  ink  before  the 
chemic  heat  of  a  hot  iron." 

"A  most  satisfactory  theory  certainly,"  answered  the 
General,  "equalling  your  speculations  on  that  metal. 
Now  let  me  have  the  facts  of  the  rescue." 

"Do  you  remember,  General,  when  you  commanded  as 
Colonel,  how  your  regiment  was  posted  on  that  illustrious 
day  at  Murfreesborough  ?" 

"  Perfectly,"  said  Ellingwood.  "  We  stood  on  the  skirt 
of  an  orchard  with  a  confederate  battery  on  the  crest  of 
an  opposite  hill." 

"  Well,  sir,"  returned  the  Parson  with  his  most  magni- 
ficent air,  "when  I  saw  our  splendid  boys  with  their 
muskets  gleaming  in  the  sun,  our  standard  streaming 
above  their  heads,  and  the  light  of  battle  sparkling  from 
their  eyes,  while  the  cannon  of  the  rebellion  were 
bristling,  and  bragging  in  our  very  faces,  it  stirred  old 
Penobscot  in  Granite's  breast.  The  fires  of  my  Puritan 
ancestors  rushed  down  my  limbs,  and  up  into  my  face. 
Nature  was  overcoming  grace.  Parson  faded,  and  soldier 
blazed.  I  retired  to  my  tent  for  prayer.  As  I  arose  from 
my  knees  I  saw  a  short  sword,  and  a  revolver.  My  heart 
ran    out    after    these    carnal    weapons,   and    my  hands 


130  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

clutched  them.  The  sword  was  concealed  under  my 
chaplain's  coat,  and  the  pistol  placed  in  my  pocket. 
These  are,  I  thought,  answers  to  prayer,  and  instruments 
of  Heaven." 

"  So,"  interposed  Ellingwood  with  a  laugh,  "  you  were 
armed  for  two  worlds." 

"  As  I  passed  from  my  tent,"  continued  the  Parson,  "  I 
saw  you  on  your  black  charger  at  the  head  of  your  regi- 
ment, in  full  uniform,  riding  amid  whizzing  balls,  and 
glowing  with  the  inspirations  of  war.  It  flashed  on  me 
that  Providence  had  armed  me  for  your  rescue — perhaps 
for  your  salvation." 

"  I  fear,"  said  Ellingwood,  with  assumed  gravity,  "  the 
carnal  and  the  spiritual  were  contending  in  your  breast — 
always  half  soldier,  half  parson." 

"  When  you  charged,"  proceeded  Gordon,  not  noticing 
the  interruption,  "  I  was  on  the  edge  of  the  battle,  stoop- 
ing to  pray  over  a  poor  fellow  lying  on  the  ground,  with 
his  head  on  a  stone,  and  a  bullet  in  his  neck,  while  his 
blood  came  gushing  about  my  feet.  Just  as  his  eye 
closed  in  death,  I  opened  mine,  startled  by  a  thundering 
cannon  ball,  which  lifted  my  hair,  and  stunned  my  brain. 
I  rose  with  a  whirling,  burning  head.  Looking  towards 
the  hill,  I  saw  our  regiment  torn  to  pieces,  and  you 
standing  in  the  blazing  jaws  of  destruction.  I  rushed  for 
the  dead  soldier's  horse.  I  mounted  him  with  a  leap.  I 
rode  straight  for  the  rebel  battery,  sword  and  pistol  in 
hand.  All  I  afterward  remember  is,  that  you  and  I  had 
turned  the  cannon  on  the  flying  enemy,  while  glory  burst 
from  my  lips  like  Niagara." 

"  Well  do  I  remember  those  words,"  said  Ellingwood, 
rising,  in  the  utmost  excitement,  "above  the  roar,  and 
shout  of  battle.     Heaven  seems  to  have  made  vou  both  a 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  131 

preaching  and  a  fighting  parson,  and  I  shall  always  feel 
I  owe  my  life  to  your  prayers  and  your  sword." 

The  two  men  grasped  each  other  by  the  hand  with 
soldierly  warmth,  and  retired  to  their  respective  berths 
for  the  night.  Soon  nothing  was  heard  in  that  dismal 
place  but  the  tread  of  the  sentinel,  the  snore  of  the 
sleeper,  the  hoot  of  the  owl,  and  the  occasional  plunge 
of  the  alligator,  who,  tired  of  the  moon,  slipped  from  his 
log  into  the  dark  waters  of  the  swamp. 

We  may  infer  from  the  conversation  we  have  just 
heard,  that  Edward  Ellingwood  had  been  rapidly  pro- 
moted for  brilliant  service  from  his  Captaincy,  first  to  be 
Colonel,  and  then  Brigadier-General.  While  best  fitted 
for  civil  life,  he  had  many  qualifications  for  military 
sen-ice.  His  head  and  heart  were  devoted  to  his  country, 
so  that  in  the  line  of  his  duty  no  privation  was  too  great, 
and  no  peril  too  dreadful.  His  evident  patriotism,  his 
systematic  habits,  his  reliable  kindness,  his  readiness  for 
any  service,  his  calm  courage  rising,  when  necessary,  to 
reckless  daring,  endeared  him  to  his  men,  and  no  young 
officer  had  brighter  prospects. 

When  the  expedition  in  which  we  have  just  left  him, 
terminated,  with  the  faithful  Parson  at  his  side,  like  a 
gaunt  protecting  angel,  and  defended  by  huge  cotton- 
bales,  he  dropped  down  safely  on  a  gunboat,  exposed  to 
terrific  batteries,  whose  circling  shells,  flaming  and  crash- 
ing, were  visible  in  the  blaze  from  the  shore,  which  con- 
verted night  into  day,  and  made  the  Mississippi  hideous 
in  its  glare.  General  Ellingwood  fought  nobly,  in  those 
marvellous  expeditions,  from  Grand  Gulf  to  Yicksburgh, 
which  showed  that  Grant's  iron  soul  had  been  moulded  in 
the  furnace  for  victory.  He  planted  a  standard  on  the 
ramparts  of  Jacksonville ;  was  present  on  the  glorious 


132  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

fourth,  when  the  stars  of  the  Republic  again  floated  over 
Yicksburgh ;  and  he  afterwards  stood  above  the  clouds 
on  Lookout  mountain,  beneath  our  flag  waving  in  the 
morning  sun,  and  saluted  by  shouts  from  the  army  in  the 
valley,  ringing,  amid  cave  and  cliff,  with  prophetic  sounds 
of  final  triumph. 


CHAPTER   XV. 

A   BATTLE   FIELD. 

What  a  Pegasus  is  Fancy!  We  mount  our  winged 
courser.  We  turn  towards  the  star  of  the  pole.  We  sail 
through  clouds  into  ethereal  regions.  Earth,  with  her 
villages  and  cities,  and  plains,  and  rivers,  and  mountains, 
and  oceans,  gradually  diminishes  from  our  view,  and 
brightens  into  one  of  millions  of  brilliant  worlds,  shining 
and  wheeling  amid  noiseless  space.  We  draw  the  radiant 
rein.  We  drop  down  towards  our  enlarging  globe,  all 
whose  faded  features  crowd  back  to  our  gaze  in  their 
orio-inal  dimensions  and  relations.  Just  as  the  sun  blazes 
on  the  hills,  flinging  over  the  sky,  his  purple  and  his 
gold,  we  hover  above  the  gleaming  tents,  and  illuminated 
banners  of  the  northern  section  of  the  Confederate  army. 
The  morning  reveille  comes  faintly  to  the  clouds.  As  we 
descend  invisibly  to  a  guard-house,  the  music  of  fife  and 
drum,  fiercely  pierces  our  ears.  We  dismount  unnoticed, 
and  leave  our  airy  Pegasus,  who  instantly  dissolves. 

Passing  the  sentinels,  who,  with  loaded  muskets,  march 
solemnly  about  a  rude  log  building,  we  enter  the  door. 
A  single  candle  shines  dimly  over  the  small  apartment, 
and  reveals  the  forms  of  two  men.  One  appears  a 
German,  rather  diminutive,  but  remarkably  athletic,  and 
with  a  face  denoting  quick  and  artful  intelligence.  He 
lies  on  the  straw,  having  his  wrists  and  ankles  tightly 
bound  by  strong  cords.  Kneeling  over  him  we  perceive 
Arthur  Cleveland. 

12  133 


134  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

"Hans,"  he  is  saying,  "the  proof  against  you  is  un- 
doubted. You  have  been  detected,  tried,  and  convicted 
as  a  spy.  In  fifteen  minutes  you  will  hear  the  dead 
march  and  swing  into  eternity.  Call  on  the  Virgin  and 
the  saints  for  your  salvation." 

"  D'her  vimen  and  d'her  sheeldren  prays  to  d'her  Marie 
and  d'her  Michaels.  Vere  Hans  Christeen,  he  pray  to 
Him  whom  d'her  Bible  call  Got,  and  says  ish  everywhere 
to  d'her  hear  and  to  d'her  help." 

"But,"  rejoined  ^  the  Priest,  "You  do  not  believe  the 
Scripture.  It  is  a  solemn  thing  on  the  threshold  of  eter- 
nity to  have  no  faith  in  our  holy  religion  or  our  holy 
Church." 

"  Ah !  meeshter  preest,"  said  Hans,  "  our  fadderland  ish 
now  free.  D'her  Bible  ish  von  myth.  D'her  Got  ish  von 
scare-crow.     D'her  hereafter  ish  von  priest-lie." 

Then  turning  his  eye  to  the  candle  which  the  morning 
breeze  coming  through  the  cracks  of  the  logs  had  just  ex- 
tinguished, leaving  a  smoking  wick  without  a  single 
spark,  he  continued  with  a  most  significant  and  horrible 
expression  of  countenance,  "  D'her  soul  when  we  dies  ish 
like  dat." 

Cleveland  was  confounded  and  amazed.  He  had  never 
before  encountered  a  reckless  Atheism.  The  stolid  look 
of  the  German  increased  his  bewilderment.  Hans,  having 
thoroughly  read  Cleveland's  inexperience,  and  produced 
the  effect  he  desired,  resumed  his  blasphemies. 

"  Mine  Old  Testament  ish  d'her  Ssengerfest.  Mine  Kew 
Testament  ish  d'her  Gymnaseeum.  Mine  Sacraments  ish 
d'her  Lager  and  d'her  Terbaccer.  Mine  heaven  wash 
dish  yer  earth." 

The  Priest  was  now  horrified  and  stupefied,  while  his 
eyes  were  closed  in  despair  over  such  sacrilegious  impiety. 


TEE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  135 

Hans,  by  a  dexterous  movement,  learned  from  our  modern 
jugglers,  and,  by  some,  ascribed  .to  spirits,  slipped  his 
hands  and  feet  through  the  ropes,  snatched  up  Cleveland's 
cloak;  which  was  lying  near  his  head,  and  passed 
through  the  door,  exclaiming  in  a  low  but  distinct  tone, 
"  Nathan." 

The  Priest  was  more  confused  than  ever,  when  forced, 
in  this  wild  way,  to  a  recognition  of  his  former  traveling 
companion.  Before  he  recovered  from  his  astonishment, 
the  spy,  wrapped  in  Cleveland's  own  garment,  was  beyond 
the  guard.  Fortunately  for  him,  the  prison  stood  on  the 
edge  of  the  encampment,  and  near  a  wood.  "When  the 
alarm  was  given,  and  his  pursuers  rallied,  he  was  some 
yards  in  advance.  His  unerring  sagacity  avoided  the 
sentinels,  whom  he  knew  would  be  more  sparsely  posted 
as  he  dashed  further  onward.  Speedily  a  hundred  sol- 
diers, with  muskets  cocked  and  levelled,  were  running  in 
pursuit.  But  the  boldness  of  the  escape  increased  their 
confusion,  while  the  rapid  motion  of  Hans,  and  the  inter- 
vening trees,  multiplied  the  chances  in  his  favor. 

Emerging  from  the  woods,  he  was  soon  climbing  like 
a  goat  the  rocks  of  the  mountain  behind  the  encampment. 
As  he  ascended,  the  soldiers  gazed  below  in  hopeless  won- 
der. Hans  leaped  from  cliff  to  cliff  as  if  nerved  and 
winged  by  an  inspiration  of  liberty.  He  rapidly  rose  to  a 
crag  on  the  very  summit  of  the  ridge.  Standing  there 
against  the  sky,  with  a  defiant  shout,  he  waved  his  hand  in 
contemptuous  triumph.  He  then  made  a  significant  sign 
showing  that  Hans  on  the  mountain-top,  and  Xathan  on 
the  Potomac-shore  were  the  same  individual.  After  swing- 
ing  a  few  moments  on  the  tree  where  we  left  him  after  our 
first  acquaintance,  he  deliberately  took  a  knife  from  his 
pocket,  cut  the  rope  by  which  he  was  suspended,  dropped  to 


136  '  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

the  ground,  and  placing  his  hands  to  his  neck  readjusted 
the  concealed  brass  collar  which  saved  his  life.  A  few 
moments  subsequently  to  his  present  escape,  he  went  to  a 
cave  on  the  opposite  side  of  a  cliff,  removed  his  German 
attire,  and  dragging  from  a  cleft  the  dress  of  a  woman, 
on  that  very  night  he  re-appeared  in  the  Confederate 
camp.  Before  a  week  he  had  reported  to  a  General  in  the 
army  of  the  Republic  every  particular  of  the  intended 
movements  of  the  enemy.  Once  afterwards  he  ventured 
the  disguise  of  a  Chinaman,  and  made  a  narrow  escape 
with  the  loss  of  his  pig-tail.  We  will  again  meet  him  in 
the  course  of  our  stoiy.  Here  we  may,  however,  state 
that  the  close  of  the  war  revealed  him  a  graduate  of  a 
College.  Afterwards  he  acquired  a  lucrative  practice  as  a 
lawyer,  and  has  a  hopeful  prospect  of  a  seat  in  Congress. 

Arthur  Cleveland  was  greatly  confused  at  the  singular 
escape  of  Nathan,  Hans,  or  Ling  Wau,  as  we  may  choose 
to  name  the  dexterous  and  versatile  spy.  Colonel  Austin 
met  him  with  a  pleasant  smile,  and  a  cheerful  morning 
salute,  to  relieve  his  embarrassment. 

"  Do  you  know,  my  dear  Chaplain,"  he  said,  "  that  we 
have  received  orders  to  break  camp  ?  In  a  few  hours,  we 
will  resume  our  northward  march  and  cross  the  Pennsyl- 
vania line." 

"As  a  servant,  Colonel,  of  both  the  Church  and  the 
State,  it  is  mine  only  to  obey,"  returned  Cleveland. 

"  I  cannot  repress,"  said  Austin,  "  my  unusual  interest 
in  this  movement.  Hitherto,  I  have  fought  on  southern 
soil.  The  next  shock  of  battle  will  be  on  the  territory  of 
our  invaders.  All  circumstances  indicate  that  we  ap- 
proach the  crisis  of  the  war." 

"Of  course,"  rejoined  the  Chaplain,  "I  express  no 
political  opinions.     My  business  is  with  souls,  not  parties. 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  137 

Yet  I  cannot  conceal  a  weight  of  anxiety  on  my  heart, 
for  our  regiment  and  yourself." 

"  I  have  no  care  whatever,"  answered  Austin.  "  My 
whole  soul  is  in  our  cause.  Whatever  the.  incidental  evils 
of  slavery  it  is  the  corner-stone  of  rational  liberty.  Man- 
ual labor  must  degrade,  and  it  is  only  in  a  class  placed 
above  its  necessity  and  surrounded  by  wealth,  that  society 
can  find  either  its  refinement,  or  its  security.  Besides, 
the  African  is  never  so  happy  as  when  under  a  suitable 
master.  The  slave-whip,  the  slave-pen,  and  the  slave- 
tyrant,  are  indeed  inevitable  and  horrible,  but  not  greater 
evils  than  are  found  in  every  northern  city." 

"  My  dear  Charles,"  replied  Cleveland,  "  I  must  not 
participate  in  the  discussion  of  these  questions.  May  I 
not  call  you  from  such  themes  to  the  claims  of  the 
Church?" 

"  No !  no !  Mr.  Cleveland,"  said  the  Colonel  with  a 
smile,  and  an  emphatic  gesture  of  the  head.  "  Hitherto 
this  subject  has  been  avoided.  Now  I  have  neither 
leisure,  or  inclination  for  its  consideration.  See!  See 
there !"  he  added,  pointing  with  a  kindling  face  to  the 
encampment  already  in  the  buzz,  and  bustle  of  removal. 
"  Those  preparations  will  decide  the  future  of  this  conti- 
nent. Shall  we  have  two  governments,  the  one  based  on 
slavery,  and  the  other  on  freedom  ?  Or  will  a  single  Ke- 
public  maintain  its  undivided  stars  ?  The  question  Ned, 
and  I  debated  on  your  platform  is  now  to  be  settled 
on  the  battle-field.  God  bless  the  old  fellow,  I  should  be 
sorry  to  find  him  with  a  confederate  bullet  in  his  heart." 

A  tear  hung  on  the  Colonel's  eyelid  as  he  recalled 
Ellingwood's  image,  and  the  frightful  contingencies  of 
war. 

"Alas,"  he  continued  sadly,  directing  his    hand    to- 
12* 


138  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

wards  the  camp.  "  How  many  of  those  poor  fellows 
before  our  final  triumph,  will  be  pierced  with  bullets,  and 
torn  with  shells,  and  wasted  with  diseases  !  How  many- 
will  languish  in  hospitals,  or  die  on  the  field  amid  corpses 
and  vultures!  What  widows,  what  orphans,  what  suf- 
ferings, what  graves  along  the  path  of  war !" 

"  Excuse  my  interruption,  Colonel,"  interposed  the  Cha- 
plain, "  but  I  perceive  our  regiment  is  in  motion." 

"  Yes,"  said  Austin,  "  I  am  silly  to  indulge  in  such 
thoughts.  Sometimes  a  shadow  comes  upon  me  cast 
back,  perhaps,  from  my  own  doom.  Pardon  me,  my 
friend,  I  must  hasten  to  my  men." 

Very  speedily  after  this  conversation  the  tents  were  all 
struck,  and  the  army  in  marching  order.  Thousands  of 
troops  were  soon  wearily  tramping  in  dust  and  sun  under 
their  drooping  regimental  standards,  while  long  lines  of 
horses,  and  waggons,  and  ambulances,  and  caissons  and 
cannon  wound  over  the  hills,  and  along  the  valleys.  The 
Potomac  was  crossed  partly  by  fording  and  partly  on 
hasty  bridges.  Before  many  days  the  confederate  army 
lay  in  the  blaze  of  July,  on  Seminary  Pidge,  just  behind 
Gettysburgh,  confronted  by  the  forces  of  the  Republic 
under  General  Meade  on  Cemetery  Hill.  On  the  first 
day  of  the  memorable  battle  Colonel  Austin  mingled  in 
the  fierce  fight  to  secure  Round  Top,  the  true  key  to  the 
entire  situation.  He  escaped  unhurt,  although  greatly 
complimented  for  his  bravery.  On  the  second  day  he 
was  ordered  to  lead  his  regiment  in  one  of  the  most  peril- 
ous, and  important  assaults  in  the  history  of  the  war. 

As  he  sat  on  his  white  charger  in  advance  of  his  men, 
Cleveland  stood  viewing  him  with  the  deepest  interest 
and  affection.  Austin  appeared  in  his  young  manly 
beauty,  the  ideal  of  an  officer.     Dark  curls  waved  be- 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  139 

neath  his  military  cap.  His  black  eye  shot  fire.  His 
scarlet  sash  displayed  splendidly  his  slight  but  elegant 
person,  while  his  hand  held  his  rein  with  an  inexpressible 
grace,  and  his  limbs  from  thigh  to  stirrup  would  have 
charmed  a  sculptor. 

But  what  invested  the  man  with  his  chief  fascination  was 
a  glow  expanding  into  an  almost  visible  halo  about  his 
face  and  brow,  imparted  by  the  consecration  of  his  genius 
to  a  cause  he  deemed  right.  Yet  Cleveland  imagined 
that  he  perceived  an  occasional  prophetic  cloud  across  the 
countenance  of  his  friend.  While  Austin  was  sitting  on 
his  horse,  now  pawing  with  warlike  impatience,  as  his  nos- 
tril snuffed  the  battle  and  his  neck  curved  with  its  thun- 
ders, there  was  a  pause  in  the  cannon-roar  which  for  hours 
shook  the  air  and  stunned  the  ear.  A  scorching  sun  was 
pouring  from  the  brazen  heavens  his  blaze  of  beams.  Not 
a  breeze  now  lifted  a  plume.  Suddenly  came  an  order  to 
advance. 

Colonel  Austin  dashed  amid  assailing  thousands  against 
the  batteries  of  the  opposite  hill.  Flame,  smoke,  yells, 
thunders  burst  over  earth  and  sky.  On  every  side  flew 
balls  and  shells  hurling  round  death.  The  confederate 
columns  were  quickly  hid  beneath  dust  and  smoke. 
"When  the  cloud  lifted,  they  were  seen  reeling,  breaking, 
flying  before  the  triumphant  soldiers  of  the  Republic,  on 
whose  banners  smiled  victory  at  last  and  forever. 

Cleveland  now  noticed  Austin's  horse,  spotted  with 
blood  and  snorting  with  terror,  rushing  riderless  over  the 
field.  A  weight  fell  on  his  heart.  His  brain  seemeS 
whirling  round  in  flame.  He  ran  forward  in  a  delirium, 
heedless  of  danger,  and  was  trampled  to  the  ground. 
How  long  he  lay  he  could  never  tell.  When  conscious- 
ness returned  the  stars  were  shining  peacefully  over  his 


140  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

head,  while  from  every  direction  came  the  shrieks  of 
horses  and  the  screams  of  men.  He  was  alone  amid  the 
horrors  with  which  night  invests  a  field  of  battle  after  the 
carnage  of  the  day.  Rising  and  stumbling  through  the 
darkness,  he  saw  a  man  bending  over  a  prostrate  officer, 
and  pressing  a  canteen  to  his  lips.     He  heard  the  words : 

"Massa  Chals!  Oh,  Massa  Chals!  Don't  die,  or 
Missus  Anna's  heart  will  break.  Take,  take  dis  wata, 
Cunnel  Ausson." 

The  Chaplain  at  once  recognized  the  voice  and  form  of 
Jim,  as  he  knelt  frantically  by  the  body  of  his  master, 
and  tried  to  recall  the  fading  sparks  of  his  life.  Cleve- 
land eagerly  joined  in  the  work  of  love. 

Pressing  his  face,  wet  with  tears,  close  to  that  of  his 
friend,  he  exclaimed  in  a  low  passionate  whisper, 
"  Charles,  dear  Charles,  my  pupil,  my  friend ;  give,  oh, 
give  me  some  token  that  you  live!" 

A  feeble  pressure  of  the  hand  indicated  both  life  and 
consciousness,  and  as  the  evening  star  from  her  golden 
urn  shed  down  a  ray  of  peace,  Cleveland  discerned  a  lan- 
guid smile  of  satisfaction  on  the  countenance  of  the 
wounded  man.  Perceiving  now  the  lips  move,  and  the 
eye  open,  he  stooped  again  and  heard  just  breathed  in 
broken  whispers,  the  words,  "  Take  me  from  this  dreadful 
place  to  the  Convent  I  saw  this  morning,  while  observing 
the  «nemy.     Jim  was  with  me,  and  can  show  the  way." 

The  building  to  which  he  alluded  had  been  almost  de- 
serted before  the  approach  of  the  two  hostile  armies,  be- 
tween which  it  was  exposed  to  double  peril.  It  stood  a 
few  miles  from  the  spot  where  they  were,  in  a  deep  soli- 
tude of  the  mountains.  Cleveland  explained  Colonel 
Austin's  request  to  Jim,  and  asked  him  to  act  as  guide. 
The  affectionate  creature  could  restrain  himself  no  longer. 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  141 

He  burst  into  sobs  and  tears.  He  threw  himself  on  the 
ground.  He  kissed  frantically  his  master's  hand,  ex- 
claiming, "De  Cunnel  Jim's  best  friend.  Jim  lub  de 
Cunnel  when  we  boys  togedder.  Jim  help  de  Cunnel. 
Jim  die  for  de- Cunnel." 

The  Chaplain  deemed  it  best  to  let  the  negro's  grief  ex- 
pend its  own  honest  violence.  Proceeding  then  to  exam- 
ine Austin  more  carefully,  he  discovered  that  his  wound 
was  from  a  bullet  in  his  breast.  He  next  gently  washed 
away  the  clotted  blood  with  water  from  his  canteen,  and 
tied  over  it  a  temporary  bandage.  He  and  Jim  united 
their  efforts  in  lifting  the  exhausted  and  suffering  soldier, 
and  carrying  him  tenderly  from  the  scene  of  death.  For 
some  distance  they  stumbled  over  the  slain,  and  often 
almost  fell  in  the  slippery  blood.  Reaching  the  edge  of 
the  battle-field,  their  path  lay  over  a  narrow  log  crossing 
a  dashing  torrent,  and  then  wound  amid  rocks  up  a  steep 
ridge.  The  horrid  sounds  of  death  were  fast  fading  in  the 
distance,  when  a  rising  moon  began  to  assist  their  way. 
They  frequently  halted  for  breath,  and  to  rest  Austin, 
whose  suppressed  groans  told  his  terrible  agony.  After  a 
slow  and  weary  journey,  whose  minutes  seemed  hours, 
they  saw  with  irrepressible  joy,  the  white  Convent  gleam- 
ing through  the  night.  Placing  the  wounded  man  on  the 
grass  before  the  door,  a  quick  pull  of  the  bell  was  an- 
swered by  the  noise  of  an  opening  window. 

A  head,  enveloped  in  white,  was  soon  thrust  out,  and  a 
silvery  voice,  issuing  from  a  sleek,  smooth,  shaven  face, 
was  heard  inquiring:  "Who  comes  below,  at  this  un- 
seasonable hour,  to  disturb  our  slumbers?  Our  Convent 
should  be  exempt  from  attack  and  intrusion." 

The  Chaplain,  looking  upward,  at  once  replied :  "  I  am 
the  Rev.  Arthur  Cleveland,  a  Roman  Catholic  Priest,  in 


142  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

a  Confederate  regiment.  I  have  brought  here,  with  the 
assistance  of  a  negro  servant,  our  Colonel,  Mr.  Austin, 
who  is  wounded,  and,  I  fear,  dying.  I  know  too  well  the 
charities  of  the  Church  to  suppose  you  will  refuse  admis- 
sion to  the  suffering." 

"I  recognize  your  voice,  Father  Cleveland,"  was  the 
quick  and  kind  reply,  "and  can  assure  you  we  will  be 
delighted  to  afford  relief  to  so  distinguished  an  officer. 
Indeed,  it  is  the  business  of  our  Order  to  assuage  all 
misery." 

Soon  the  bolts  were  withdrawn,  and  the  party  entered. 
A  venerable  Monk  had  charge  of  the  building,  from 
which  the  Sisters  had  withdrawn,  like  frightened  doves, 
before  the  tempests  of  battle.  As  every  thing  possible 
was  provided  for  the  comfort  of  Charles  Austin,  we  can 
leave  him  among  friends,  and  pursue  another  thread  of 
our  narrative. 


CHAPTER    XVI. 

AN    EXECUTION. 

Before  the  fall  of  Atlanta,  Edward  Ellingwood  was 
placed  on  the  staff  of  General  Sherman,  who  was  already 
meditating  his  marvellous  march  towards  the  sea.  He 
was  delegated  to  a  special  service  in  advance,  and  took 
temporary  command  of  a  small  mounted  party.  For 
some  unexplained  reason,  he  was  accompanied  by  the 
Rev.  Granite  Gordon  and  the  Rev.  Peter  Ledaway. 
Having  ridden  rapidly  for  a  few  hours  along  hidden 
paths,  the  company  reached  a  lofty  hill,  and  were  making 
observations  of  the  country.  Ellingwood  ordered  a  halt, 
and  stood  a  little  apart  with  his  glass  anxiously  at  his 
eye,  having  near  him  the  two  Parsons.  Suddenly 
emerging  from  a  wood,  a  body  of  Confederate  cavalry 
appeared  in  such  force  as  to  cut  them  off  from  their 
party.  The  Republican  soldiers  escaped,  while  the 
General  and  the  Chaplains,  surrounded  by  overwhelming 
numbers,  were  compelled  to  surrender*  without  resistance. 
They  were  at  once  placed  in  the  midst  of  their  captors, 
and  made  to  ride  towards  the  hills  of  northern  Georgia. 
After  the  march  of  a  few  hours,  in  clouds  of  dust,  and 
under  a  burning  sun,  they  were  embosomed  in  mountains. 
While  ascending  a  steep  ridge,  General  Ellingwood  and 
Parson  Gordon  found  they  could  converse  in  low  tones. 

"Chaplain,"  said  Edward,  smiling,  "this  is  rather 
worse  than  Murfreesborough  batteries,  Mississippi  bayous, 
or  Vicksburgh  gunboats." 


144  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

"  General,"  answered  Gordon,  with  a  face  greatly  elon- 
gated, and  in  a  most  doleful  tone.  "  I  feel  sad,  ominously 
sad." 

"  What,  Parson,"  replied  Ellingwood.  u  You  despond ! 
The  American  eagle  may  as  well  fold  his  wings,  and  make 
himself  a  mark  for  rebel  bullets." 

"You  may  laugh,  General,  you  may  laugh;  but  I 
know  you  will  never  doubt  Granite  Gordon's  grit." 

"Never,  Chaplain,  never,"  quickly  returned  Elling- 
wood. "Your  parents  well  named  you  for  our  New 
England  hills." 

"  As  you  will  not  question  my  courage,"  resumed  the 
Parson,  "  I  may  tell  you  a  dream  I  had  on  last  night. 
The  light  was  burning  dimly  in  my  tent,  and  I  seemed  to 
doze  rather  than  sleep.  Suddenly  I  was  transported  to 
the  pines  of  Penobscot.  On  a  mountain  cliff  I  saw  sit- 
ting a  gray  eagle.  It  was  the  very  bird  I  shot  when  a 
boy.  I  knew  him  in  a  moment.  As  he  poised  himself 
on  the  rock,  I  dreamed  I  saw  a  gigantic  serpent  crawl 
and  encircle  him  in  fatal  folds.  The  eagle  screamed,  beat 
his  wings,  struck  his  enemy  with  his  beak,  rose  with  him 
in  the  air.  Frightful  the  snake's  eye,  and  crest,  and 
lambent  tongue,  as  he  hissed,  and  wound  more  tightly 
about  his  victim.  The  bird  carried  his  foe  into  the 
clouds,  and  the  serpent  soon  dropped  through  the  air 
dead  upon  the  earth.  A  load  was  taken  from  my  breast, 
until  I  saw  the  eagle  stop,  flutter,  and  then  fall,  like  a 
thunderbolt,  from  the  heavens.  Afterwards  I  ran  and 
found  his  mangled  body,  and  read  in  his  doom  my  own. 
As  the  snake  killed  the  eagle,  Granite  Gordon  will  soon 
perish  in  the  coils  of  the  rebellion." 

While  the  Parson,  in  his  grandiloquent,  but  impres- 
sive manner,   narrated    his   strange  dream,   Ellingwood 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  145 

experienced  an  ominous  tremor  creeping,  and  chilling 
through  every  vein.  He  endeavored  to  answer  laugh- 
ingly. His  unconcern  was  only  too  evidently  forced  and 
assumed. 

"  Parson,"  he  said,  "  this  will  never  do.  We  are  not 
men  to  be  scared  by  dreams.  Leave  signs  and  wonders 
to  women  and  children.  The  greatest  marvel  I  can  con- 
ceive would  be  to  see  you  sink  beneath  misfortunes." 

"General  Eilingwood,"  replied  the  Chaplain,  "mine  is 
no  coward's  fear."  Then  checking  his  horse  for  a  moment, 
and  turning  his  great  blue  eye,  in  which  stood  a  single 
tear,  full  upon  the  face  of  his  commandant,  he  resumed. 
"  I  shall  never  see  James,  and  Sarah  more.  I  am  soon 
to  pay  the  penalty  of  my  own  carnal  courage.  'They 
who  take  the  sword  shall  perish  by  the  sword/  I  now 
see  ministers  should  be  men  of  peace,  not  of  battle.  Our 
weapons  are  not  swords,  and  revolvers,  and  cannon,  but 
prayer,  and  faith,  and  love.  How  terrible  for  us  to  send 
into  perdition  souls  we  were  called  to  save !  My  courage 
was  of  earth  and  not  of  Heaven,  and  soon  I  must  suffer 
for  my  sin.  General,  when  I  saved  your  life  I  lost  my 
own." 

Eilingwood  was  so  affected  by  these  words  that  he  with 
difficulty  remained  in  his  saddle.  Yet  attempting  again 
to  make  light  of  his  own  apprehensions,  and  the  Chap- 
lain's forebodings,  he  said  with  a  smile,  "  I  would  not  like 
to  trust  your  meekness,  Parson,  if  you  were  sure  you 
could  fight  your  way  through  these  fellows."  These 
words  seemed  to  strike  a  momentary  flame  from  the  eye 
of  Gordon.  The  blood  rushed  to  his  cheeks.  As  he 
raised  himself  in  his  stirrups  to  make  a  survey  of  his 
enemies,  his  chest  heaved  out,  hi3  lower  jaw  assumed  the 
rigidity  of  iron,  his  teeth  became  clinched,  his  form 
13 


146  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

towered  gigantically,  his  face  exhibited  an  unearthly 
grimness.  He  seemed  calculating  the  possibilities  of 
success  in  an  attempt  against  such  odds.  In  a  moment, 
however,  he  looked  as  if  satisfied  that  his  day  of  carnal 
struggle  was  over,  and  he  sank  back  into  his  saddle  an 
altered  man.  The  last  sparks  of  his  earthly  nature  had 
faded  forever  in  this  final  conflict.  The  subsidence  of 
his  pugilistic  emotions  was  followed  by  a  heavenly  peace 
which  breathed  from  every  lineament  of  his  great,  rough, 
noble  face,  until  it  seemed  impressed  with  that  beauty 
of  meekness  so  remarkable  in  Leonardo's  picture  of  our 
Lord.  Ellingwood  recognized  that  light  as  a  beam  from 
above,  resembling  the  sun-rays  streaming  down  through 
clouds  from  the  calm  vistas  of  the  evening. 

"  General,"  began  Gordon  solemnly,  "  I  seem  all  my 
life  to  have  been  a  great,  bullying,  blustering,  egotistical 
Parson.  I  see  myself  as  never  before.  This  too  is  a  pro- 
phecy of  my  fate.  I  magnified  myself,  and  misjudged  you. 
Your  book-prayers  seemed  a  formal  mockery.  Religion 
I  now  understand  may  be  like  the  still  light  as  well  as 
the  shouting  tempest.  Forgive  me,  General,  I  did  not 
intend  to  be  uncharitable." 

Here  the  Parson  extended  his  huge  hand,  which  Elling- 
wood grasped  almost  convulsively,  and  shook  with  the 
greatest  warmth.  The  two  men  now  completely  under- 
stood each  other.     ' 

"My  own  dear  Commander,"  resumed  the  Chaplain, 
with  a  tone  and  look  of  inexpressible  tenderness,  "  Granite 
Gordon  draws  near  his  Jordan.  Beyond  are  the  celestial 
fields.  Heaven  is  opening  to  my  vision.  I  am  not  like 
you,  a  College-man,  but  I  have  read  much,  and  thought 
much,  and  prayed  much.  Mark  my  words !  This  war 
which  began  to  determine  the  question  of  secession,  will 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  147 

terminate  in  giving  not  only  freedom,  but  the  ballot,  to  the 
negro.  Parson  Gordon  exhorts  you,  with  his  dying  breath, 
to  never  cease  until  political  equality  is  established  firm  as 
these  mountains,  and  lasting  as  yon  heavens." 

Ellingwood  turned  on  the  Chaplain  with  amazement. 
Although  his  style  was  somewhat  stilted,  his  manner  had 
the  solemn  eloquence  of  a  Prophet.  While  the  General 
was  gazing  at  the  face  of  the  Parson,  he  was  startled  by 
repeated  cries  of  "  Glory !  Glory !  Glory !"  Nothing  could 
exceed  the  thrilling  power  of  his  tones,  while  Gordon's 
great  frame  heaved,  and  trembled  with  emotion,  and  his 
countenance  became  lustrous  with  enthusiasm.  The  guard 
paused,  and  stared  in  amusing  astonishment.  The  Kev. 
Peter  Ledaway  started  from  his  horse  reddening  in  a 
guilty  confusion. 

While  the  party  thus  stopped  in  a  way  so  strange,  and 
unexpected,  a  cloud  of  dust  appeared  on  the  road  near 
the  top  of  the  mountain.  The  confederates  instantly 
cocked,  and  leveled  their  muskets.  Their  Captain  shouted, 
"Hold  !  who  comes  there?  Stop,  or  we  fire !"  Heedless 
of  powder  or  command,  on  rushed  the  riders,  and  soon 
were  discerned  the  immense  face  and  form  of  Major 
Worstal. 

"  Halt !"  he  cried  in  a  tone  whose  loudness  corresponded 
to  his  size,  while  rage  seemed  working  in  every  feature. 
The  guard,  perceiving  their  commander,  shouldered  their 
guns.  "March!"  he  yelled  with  the  utmost  vehemence, 
and  he  and  his  party  turning  their  horses,  were  followed 
by  the  capturing  company  and  their  pursuers.  After 
riding  some  distance  in  silence,  a  dense  forest  was  reached 
lining  one  side  of  the  road.  Worstal  again  cried,  "  Halt !" 
The  order  was  at  once  obeyed.  "March  these  infernal 
Yankees  into  the  woods !"  roared  the  Major.    After  pro- 


148  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

ceeding  a  few  minutes  the  party  was  again  stopped. 
"  Dismount ! "  yelled  Worsted,  with  the  look  and  gesture 
of  a  demon. 

When  Ellingwood  got  down  from  his  horse,  he  was 
seized  and  searched  from  his  stockings  to  his  necktie. 
Nothing  was  discovered  on  his  person  but  some  federal 
money,  several  inoffensive  letters,  and  a  photograph.  Gor- 
don and  Ledaway  had  also-  every  part  of  their  clothing 
rudely  examined.  In  the  saddlebags  of  each,  Worstal 
found  a  paper,  which  increased  his  rage.  Holding  up  the 
fatal  documents,  he  burst  forth  with  an  expression  of  sav- 
age triumph,  "  Look !  look !  here  are  the  commissions  of 
these  infernal  Parsons,  signed  and  sealed  by  their  cursed 
government,  as  chaplains  in  nigger  regiments !"  As  the 
Major,  glaring  like  a  tiger,  shook  the  papers  before  his  men, 
they  gnashed  their  teeth  in  rage,  and  looking  on  their  vic- 
tims, shouted,  "  Death,  death."  From  peak  to  peak  the 
solemn  mountain  echoed,  "Death,  death!"  In  the  midst  of 
this  tempest,  Gordon  stood  erect  in  his  gigantic  height, 
with  his  arms  folded  across  his  heart,  and  a  look  of  calm, 
and  commanding  majesty.  Ledaway  fell  in  terror  on  his 
knees.  He  appeared  to  shrink  away  into  himself.  His 
cheeks  grew  hollow,  and  his  hair  almost  like  the  snow 
lingering  still  on  the  mountains,  rising  above  in  the  se- 
renity of  a  mocking  sublimity.  He  embraced  the  knees 
of  Worstal,  who  spurned  away  the  abject  wretch  with  a 
kick.  He  then  clasped  the  feet  of  Gordon,  and  kissed 
them  in  his  frenzy,  and  begged  for  help. 

"Look  not  to  a  doomed  mortal  like  me,"  tenderly  said 
the  Parson,  "but  to  the  compassion  of  Heaven  in  the 
Cross  of  Jesus  Christ." 

"Heaven,"  burst  forth  the  coward,  "there  is  no  heaven 
for  me.     I  have  abused  its  commission,  to  do  the  work  of 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  14S 

hell.  Seeming  an  angel  of  light  I  was  a  devil  of  dark^ 
ness.  With  the  same  lips  I  urged  temperance,  and  drank 
to  intoxication.  I  preached  the  gospel,  and  cursed  in  His 
name  who  gave  it.  I  denounced  theft,  and  stole  from  my 
country.  While  pointing  others  the  way  of  salvation  I  was 
myself  rushing  down  to  my  own  damnation.  Lost,  lost, 
lost,"  he  shrieked,  and  the  rocks  replied,  "lost,  lost,  lost." 

Just  then,  a  confederate  soldier  holding  up  the  saddle- 
bags of  the  apostate,  took  from  one  end,  a  pack  of  cards 
and  a  bottle  of  whisky.  This  caused  the  villain's  shrieks 
to  be  answered  by  bursts  of  insulting  laughter.  Ledaway 
was  one  of  those  fallen  ministers,  who,  unable  to  with- 
stand the  temptations  of  war,  had  brought  disgrace  on 
himself  and  his  religion.  Now  caught  in  his  sins  he  found 
no  place  of  repentance. 

Ellingwood  viewed  the  tragic  scene  with  the  deepest 
emotion,  and  remarked,  how  exactly  in  accord  were  the 
very  aspects  of  nature.  The  party  stood  on  a  bold  ledge  of 
rock,  covered  with  laurel  and  hemlock,  rising  hundreds  of 
feet  above  the  valley,  and  projecting  over  a  torrent,  which 
dashed,  and  roared  down  its  gorge,  enveloped  in  spray, 
and  sending  up  sounds  subdued  by  distance.  Imme- 
diately behind,  towered  a  dark,  lofty,  craggy  peak,  pierc- 
ing the  heavens.  On  all  sides,  were  circling  summits,  of 
every  size  and  shape,  thrown  up  by  some  ancient  convul- 
sion, in  such  a  way,  as  to  perpetuate  the  wild  irregulari- 
ties of  its  extinct  powers.  However,  the  shrieks  of  Leda- 
way draw  us  from  the  contemplation  of  the  landscape. 
His  frantic  importunities  increased  his  own  terror,  and  the 
contempt  of  his  enemies.  A  rope  was  now  produced.  The 
sight  of  this  instrument  of  death  brought  forth  fresh 
screams  from  the  wretch.  It  was  placed  about  his  neck, 
and  tied  by  firm  knots.  He  was  then  roughly  seized  by 
13* 


150  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

two  soldiers,  and  forced  to  the  brink  of  the  precipice.  A 
third  followed,  holding  the  cord,  which,  ascending  a  tree, 
he  made  fast  to  a  limb  projecting  above  the  torrent, 
tumbling,  and  foaming  below.  The  miserable  victim  was 
soon  hurled  with  violence  over  the  edge  of  the  rock,  and 
arrested  by  the  cord,  he  swung,  jerking  and  dangling 
above  the  dizzying  abyss.  After  a  few  spasms,  the  black- 
ened face,  and  glazed  eye,  showed  that  a  doomed  spirit 
had  exchanged  its  place  of  sin  for  its  place  of  punishment. 
A  soldier  now  levelled  his  musket,  and  before  the  echoes 
of  its  report  came  back  from  the  mountains,  the  ball  had 
cut  the  cord  which  was  swinging  in  the  wind,  and  the 
Rev.  Peter  Ledaway  dropped,  resting  a  moment  on  an 
overhanging  branch,  and  then  fell  crashing  into  the  wild 
waters  far  beneath,  and  was  borne  toward  the  vain 
baptistery  of  the  boundless  sea. 

Gordon  beheld  the  execution  of  his  unworthy  compa- 
nion with  awe,  but  not  with  fear.  Propitiated  by  his 
manly  courage,  Worstal  resolved  that  he  should  be  shot, 
esteeming  the  bullet  more  honorable  than  the  rope.  The 
Parson  asked  for  his  saddle-bags,  and  they  were  soon 
brought.  He  took  from  them  a  Bible  and  a  hymn-book, 
and  placed  in  each  a  lock  of  his  hair.  Turning  to  Elling- 
wood,  he  held  the  volumes  in  his  hands,  and  addressed 
him  with  the  most  calm  and  impressive  solemnity : 

'  General,"  he  began,  giving  him  the  Bible,  "this  is  for 
my  dear  wife  Sarah,  with  her  husband's  blessing." 

Ellingwood  took  the  book,  but  was  so  agitated  it  almost 
dropped  from  his  grasp. 

The  Parson  then  held  towards  him  the  hymn-book,  say- 
ing, "  This  is  my  gift  to  James.  Tell  him  his  father's  last 
wish  was,  that  he  might  live  and  die  a  faithful  Methodist 
preacher."     The  Chaplain  and  the  General  affectionately 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  151 

embraced,  and  shook  hands  in  a  final  farewell.  Gordon 
wca  conducted  unbound,  and  placed  a  short  distance  from 
the  soldiers.  He  looked  unmoved  on  the  leveled  guns.  A 
heavenly  smile  played  over  his  rugged  face.  While  the 
men  were  taking  their  aim,  burst  again  from  his  lips  in 
thundering  tones,  "glory!  glory!  glory!"  and  from 
a  hundred  peaks,  mellowed  like  the  voices  of  angels, 
echoed,  "glory,  glory,  glory,"  followed  by  a  mingled  vol- 
ley whose  reverberations  were  in  strange  contrast.  Gor- 
don fell,  pierced  by  a  dozen  bullets,  and  his  spirit  rose  ex- 
ulting to  that  Saviour  whom  he  had  followed  and 
preached  with  a  love  so  eccentric,  and  yet  so  sincere.  His 
friend  obtained  permission  to  bury  his  body. 

The  confederate  soldiers,  touched  by  his  bravery,  pre- 
pared his  resting-place  on  a  hillock  beneath  a  pine,  which 
towered  a  fitting  emblem  of  his  cwn  tall  person.  General 
Ellingwood  read  from  his  pocket  prayer-book  the  service 
of  his  Church,  and  dropping  tears  on  his  grave,  planted 
over  it  a  flowering  laureL. 


CHAPTER    XVII. 

A    MOUNTAIN    CONVENT. 

The  Convent  of  St.  Mary  is  remarkable  for  the  beauty 
of  its  location.  It  stands  on  a  height  adorned  with  noble 
trees,  and  lifting  itself  from  the  middle  of  a  valley  encir- 
cled by  mountains,  except  where  they  recede  to  form 
vistas  narrowing  with  a  gentle  ascent  until  they  termi- 
nate in  the  blue  sky.  Meadows,  grain-fields,  orchards,  with 
here  and  there  a  grove  of  oak,  and  beech,  and  maple,  are 
scattered  below  in  pleasing  variety."  A  clear  stream  winds 
along  the  base  of  the  hills,  sparkling  and  flashing  through 
the  leaves  when  the  beams  of  a  western  sun  fall  slanting 
on  its  surface.  Occasionally  on  the  banks  an  elm  lifts  its 
stately  foliage,  or  the  gigantic  sycamore  exposes  its  white, 
bare,  unsightly  limbs.  On  the  left  a  few  gleaming  houses 
of  a  village  are  scattered  along  the  mountain,  and  far 
above  them  a  spire  rears  calmly  its  cross  to  heaven.  The 
Convent  had  been  erected  by  an  Italian  nobleman,  who, 
tired  of  the  world,  had  fled  from  the  exhausted  civiliza- 
tions of  Europe,  and  devoted  his  life  to  charitable  works 
in  our  own  land  of  hope  and  promise.  He  had  taken 
orders,  and  spent  years  in  traveling  on  foot  among  the 
mountains,  and  preaching  to  the  poor.  He  lavished  his 
fortune  in  relieving  suffering  and  encouraging  art.  In- 
deed, he  was  one  of  those  lovely  characters  the  Roman 
Church  has  sometimes  produced,  and  the  memory  of  his 
piety  is  still  a  lingering  fragrance  in  many  a  home  of  that 
wild  and  secluded  region.  St.  Mary's  had  been  imitated 
152 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  153 

from  a  beautiful  convent  on  an  Alpine  summit  which  re- 
flects itself  in  a  sunny  lake.  Everywhere  over  its  walls, 
and  through  its  rooms,  and  along  its  halls,  are  casts  and 
copies  from  the  ancient  masters.  The  chapel  is  an  exqui- 
site conception,  especially  admired  for  its  chancel-win- 
dows. Our  Lord's  grand  figure  rising  majestically  into 
heaven  forms  its  central  attraction,  and  imparts  a  unity  so 
often  painfully  wanting  in  such  pictures.  On  Him  gaze 
prostrate  disciples.  On  Him  look  kneeling  apostles.  On 
Him  are  turned  the  eyes  of  angels  pausing  in  adoring  awe 
as  they  fly  above  the  earth. 

The  situation  and  arrangements  of  the  Convent  were 
precisely  suited  to  the  purposes  of  Cleveland,  and  he 
thought  he  discerned  in  them  a  Providential  assistance. 
He  had  eaten,  and  conversed,  and  slept  in  the  same  tent 
with  Colonel  Austin,  and  yet  found  not  one  opportunity 
to  make  a  direct  impression.  Now,  that  gentleman, 
wounded  and  dependent,  and  under  obligation  to  him  as  a 
saviour  from  a  lonely  death  on  a  dreadful  battle-field,  is 
wholly  in  his  power.  So  suddenly  did  the  scene  shift  as  if 
to  reward  his  persevering  labor.  Not,  however,  relying 
entirely  on  his  own  skill,  he  summoned  to  his  assistance 
Bishop  Frances,  and  a  whole  company  of  returning  nuns 
and  priests. 

"  Mr.  Cleveland,"  said  that  Episcopal  dignitary  shortly 
after  his  arrival,  "  I  have  been  studying  the  face  of  your 
interesting  patient  in  the  light  of  Father  John's  com- 
munications. I  am  more  and  more  persuaded  of  the 
importance  of  his  conversion.  Should  the  South  succeed, 
he  will  exert  a  great  influence  in  the  new  confederacy." 

"  Austin  is  indeed  a  lovely  character,"  replied  Cleve- 
land. "  He  possesses  that  oratorical  facility  peculiar  to 
the  Gulf  States,  and,  with  a  thorough   culture,  has  high 


154  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.    ■ 

blood  and  graceful  manners.  His  devotion  to  his  cause 
is  heroic." 

"Has  he  wealth ?"  returned  the  Bishop,  with  an 
equivocal  expression  about  his  lip,  and  in  his  eye.  Then 
pressing  the  massive  ring  flashing  on  the  little  finger  of 
his  left  hand,  he  added :  "  I  mean,  of  course,  large  wealth, 
which  may  be  useful  to  the  Church." 

"  You  observed,  doubtless,"  responded  Cleveland,  look- 
ing embarrassed,  and  out  of  his  element,  "  with  minute 
care  the  statement  sent  by  Father  John.  The  Colonel  is 
not  only  rich  in  his  own  right,  but,  with  his  sister,  will 
inherit  the  ample  estate  of  General  Brompton  when  that 
staunch  Presbyterian  departs." 

"  Of  course,"  said  the  Bishop,  musingly,  "those  Southern 
plantations  will  be  sadly  injured  by  the  war.  Sherman's 
bummers  will  not  be  too  delicate  in  their  consideration. 
Indeed  it  is  impossible  to  control  an  invading  army. 
Many  a  barn  and  mansion  must  blaze  aloDg  its  march. 
But  cotton  will  again  be  king,  and  his  white  majesty  will 
soon  build  ruined  fences,  cultivate  desolate  fields,  and 
repair  burned  houses.  England,  after  the  war,  will  be 
possibly  willing  to  cultivate  her  old  friends,  unless  they 
are  hopelessly  bankrupt."  Frances  here  pursued  his 
own  thoughts  farther  than  was  politic  with  Cleveland, 
who  began  to  feel  certain  uneasy  suspicions. 

He  replied  in  an  entirely  different  strain  from  the 
Bishop,  whose  words  found  no  answer  in  his  own  unsordid 
heart,  saying :  "  The  intellect  and  integrity  of  Colonel 
Austin  will  always  command  respect,  without  regard  to 
his  wealth.  So  pure  is  his  heart,  so  sincere  his  purpose, 
and  so  winning  his  address,  that  his  enemies  will  forgive 
his  faults,  and  restore  his  property." 

"Above  all  things,"  answered  the  Bishop,  in  a  low 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  155 

voice,  and  with  a  look  of  wisdom,  "  avoid  argument.  He 
is  too  weak  for  discussion,  and  it  will  only  provoke  resist- 
ance. Win  him  by  kindness  and  by  prayer.  St.  Mary, 
the  patroness  of  our  Convent,  will  assist  our  holy  work. 
The  Colonel  is  under  great  obligation  to  you,  and  this 
may  be  turned  to  advantage.  Be  certain  that  his  con- 
version will  not  retard  your  elevation  to  the  Episcopate — 
an  honor,  I  hope,  now  near  at  hand."  Cleveland  blushed, 
but  did  not  repel  a  suggestion,  implying  he  was  willing 
to  make  the  soul  of  his  friend  a  step  to  ecclesiastical 
preferment. 

AVe  must  now,  however,  return  to  Austin.  Since  his 
arrival  in  the  North  he  had  suffered  from  the  climate. 
Even  the  summer  night-dews,  to  which  he  had  been  often 
exposed  on  the  mountains,  affected  him  injuriously.  His 
system  was  not,  therefore,  in  a  condition  to  resist  the  ef- 
fects of  a  wound  in  his  lungs,  and  the  consequence  was  a 
rapid  consumption.  He  lay  day,  and  night  on  a  lounge, 
which  Jim  could  wheel  to-  the  chapel,  and  through  the 
lower  story  of  the  Convent,  sometimes  indeed  taking  his 
master  into  the  garden,  and  beneath  the  trees  of  the 
lawn.  The  hectic  of  death  already  glowed  on  his  cheek. 
A  strange  fire  gleamed  from  his  large  dark  eye.  The 
veins  on  his  forehead  stood  out  from  his  skin.  A  slight, 
but  constant  and  convulsive  cough  was  exhausting  his 
system.  He  never  spoke  except  by  signs,  and  only  to 
Jim.  His  soul  was  pervaded  by  a  dreamy  and  delicious 
languor,  while  before  his  gaze  rose  visions  of  Heaven. 
Everywhere  his  eye  was  delighted  with  beauty.  The 
Holy  virgin,  and  her  Divine  Son  smiled  on  him  ineffably 
from  the  walls.  Venerable  Apostles  turned  toward  him 
eyes  of  love.  Saints  mounting  through  flames  into  the 
sky  stimulated  his  devotion.     Angels  floating  before  his 


156  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

enraptured  soul  pointed  him  aloft.  Marble  forms,  into 
which  pious  genius  had  breathed  life  and  beauty,  stood 
around  him  the  silent  emblems  of  purity.  From  window, 
and  lawn  and  grove  a  lovely  landscape,  in  aspects  ever- 
varying,  was  j)leasing  him  with  quiet  scenes,  where  stream, 
and  tree,  and  mountain  contributed  their  mingling 
charms.  Morning,  and  evening,  the  chimes  of  musical 
bells,  with  their  silvery  sounds,  diffused  sweetness  through 
his  being,  and  female  voices,  solitary,  and  in  chorus,  were 
constantly  wafting  his  spirit  to  the  Gates  of  Heaven, 
while  the  solemn  organ  with  its  thunderous  peal  trans- 
ported to  a  height  of  calm  sublimity.  His  existence  thus 
passed  painless  into  dreamy  rapture.  Austin  had  in 
health  despised  the  puerile  mummeries  of  our  Modern 
Ritualism,  which  admires  Home  as  a  silken  lap-dog  ad- 
mires a  splendid  lion,  and  is  only  fit  for  silly  school  girls 
and  foppish  theologues.  Yet  with  an  intellect  perfectly 
clear  he  suffered  himself  to  be  wheeled  into  the  chapel 
where  in  the  midst  of  candles  and  censers  and  images,  he 
partook  without  scruple  the  bread  administered  by  a 
Roman  Priest,  and  allowed  owing  to  the  peculiarities  of  a 
dying  man's  situation.  The  simplicity  of  his  faith  was  its 
security.  He  looked  for  substance,  and  disregarded  form. 
Still  his  compliance  was  construed  into  proof  of  his  con- 
version, and  Rome  had  the  benefit  of  its  public  proclama- 
tion, and  Cleveland  the  benefit  as  its  successful  instru- 
ment. 

While  events  were  thus  progressing  at  St.  Mary's,  Jim 
rode  one  morning  to  a  distant  village  to  procure  some 
medicine  for  his  master.  Seeing  there  some  Union  scouts, 
he  galloped  home  in  the  utmost  alarm,  and  throwing  him- 
self from  his  horse,  and  rushing  across  the  lawn  and  up 
the  steps  and  through  the  hall,  he  cried,  "  De  Sodgers ! 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  157 

Sodgers!  Dey  cummin !  Dey  cummin!     Oh !  massa  Chals, 
what  become  of  massa  Glials  ?" 

The  poor  fellow  wrung  his  hands  in  an  anguish  of  ap- 
prehension. As  the  report  was  confirmed,  the  whole  Con- 
vent was  soon  in  a  buzz  of  alarm.  The  nuns,  who  had 
returned  after  their  previous  exile,  were  hurried  away  to 
the  house  of  a  Roman  Catholic  gentleman  on  the  moun- 
tain, and  all  things  were  prepared  for  the  arrival  of  the 
dreaded  troops.  Horsemen  soon  appeared  riding  armed 
towards  the  building,  and  it  was  evident,  from  the  nume- 
rous nurses,  and  surgeons,  and  ambulances,  that  the  Chris- 
tian Commission  was  about  to  appropriate  the  Convent  as 
a  hospital. 

Cleveland  retired  to  an  upper  room,  and  resolved  to  re- 
port himself  to  the  federal  officer  as  chaplain  of  the  place. 
As  he  stood  gazing  from  a  window  fronting  a  lawn,  he  saw 
approaching  two  ladies,  on  foot,  dressed  in  simple  white. 
Color  deserted  his  cheeks.  His  eye  stared.  His  form 
shook.  He  fell  to  the  floor.  Rising  with  a  great  effort, 
he  stole  into  the  hall,  and  went  painfully  down  the  stairs, 
and  passed  stumblingly  through  the  garden-gate.  With 
sweat-drops  bursting  from  his  face,  and  remorse  crushing 
his  heart,  he  climbed  the  mountain  like  a  palsied  old  man, 
and  flung  himself  headlong  with  his  face  on  the  earth. 
He  had  seen  Mrs.  Cleveland. 

That  lady,  and  her  friend  Mary  Ellingwood,  came 
smiling  over  the  lawn  breathing  from  their  faces  that  an- 
gelic peace  bestowed  on  those  who  purely  practice  works 
of  mercy.  The  scenery  without  had  prepared  for  the 
beauty  within,  and  after  entering  the  Convent,  they  wan- 
dered through  its  halls,  and  stood  in  its  chapel  in  a  maze 
of  pleasing  wonder.  As  Mary  passed  the  opened  door  of 
a  large  apartment,  there  burst  from  her  lips  a  low  cry  of 
astonishment. 
14 


158  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

"'Surely/'  she  exclaimed,  pale  with  agitation,  "we  are 
in  a  land  of  dreams.  We  have  been  gazing  at  painted 
and  sculptured  images  until  fancy  is  imposing  on  our 
very  eyes." 

"  What  can  so  excite  your  surprise,  Mary,"  replied  Mrs. 
Cleveland,  smiling  at  her  friend's  expression  of  astonish- 
ment. "Your  practical  nature  is  not  easily  bewildered 
by  visions." 

"It  is  a  reality.  There!  see  there!"  she  answered, 
while  tone  and  feature  quivered  with  excitement. 

"  I  only  perceive,"  replied  Mrs.  Cleveland,  with  a  most 
provoking  want  of  interest,  "a  pale,  sickly,  interesting 
gentleman,  who,  from  his  uniform,  I  take  to  be  a  wounded 
confederate  officer,  thrown  by  the  recent  battle,  on  the 
well-known  charities  of  St.  Mary's." 

"But,  do  you  not  remark  the  resemblance?"  said 
Mary,  in  a  quick  earnest  whisper,  and  with  cheeks  now 
white  as  her  dress  bosom. 

"  Resemblance ! "  returned  her  friend,  "  resemblance  to 
whom  ?" 

Mary  could  not  reply,  but  stood  gazing  in  silent  tears. 
She  had  never  before  this  moment,  confessed  to  herself, 
that  she  loved  Charles  Austin.  Indeed,  she  seemed  too 
cold,  and  too  bright,  for  a  deep  affection.  But  in  her 
breast  was  a  hidden  fire.  There  had  never  been  between 
Mary  and  Charles  any  pledge,  although  there  always 
existed  preference  and  sympathy.  Still,  unconsciously  his 
image  had  lingered  in  her  heart,  and  blended  itself  with 
all  her  thoughts  and  plans.  She  now  knew  her  love  was 
a  reality,  like  invisible  mists  kindling  into  view  in  the 
dying  glory  of  the  sun.  She  now  realized  he  had  been 
the  light  of  her  earthly  being.  She  now  perceived,  with  a 
woman's  intuition,  that  in  his  grave  would  be  buried  the 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  159 

future,  which,  during  years,  her  heart  had  been  tracing  on 
her  imagination.     Her  emotions  became  overpowering. 

Mrs.  Cleveland,  yet  wondering  at  her  inexplicable  agi- 
tation, exclaimed,  "What  can  this  mean,  Mary?  That 
you  should  thus  be  suddenly  affected,  in  this  strange 
place,  is  most  surprising.  That  face  seems  to  have  cast 
over  you  some  marvellous  spell.  Yet  I  have  never  seen 
it  before." 

As  the  eyes  of  the  invalid  remained  closed,  she  ventured 
to  look  longer  and  more  scrutinizingly,  and  at  last  began 
to  share  something  of  the  feelings  of  her  friend.  "And 
yet,"  she  resumed,  still  gazing,  "  and  yet,  the  countenance 
comes  before  me  like  something  floating  from  the  past 
years,  and  which  ought  to  be  remembered." 

Mary  silently  stepping  aside,  arid  coloring  with  embar- 
rassment, took  from  her  satchel  a  photograph,  and  gave  it 
to  her  friend,  who  eagerly  examined  the  picture,  and  turn- 
ing once  more  to  Austin,  that  she  might  venture  another 
glance,  exclaimed,  "  My  dear  Mary,  I  for  the  first  time 
read  your  heart.  You  are  indeed  right.  That  is  un- 
doubtedly Charles  Austin.  The  face  has  assumed  manli- 
ness since  we>  saw  him  a  bright  youth  at  college,  and  been 
roughened  by  exposure,  and  wasted  by  disease.  Yet  I 
perceive  there  the  old  features,  with  heightened  traces  of 
goodness  and  of  genius."  Mrs.  Cleveland  now  beceme 
deeply  affected.  Indeed,  so  great  was  the  agitation  of  the 
ladies  that  they  were   compelled  to  seek  their  apartment 

What  transpired  between  Charles  Austin  and  Mary 
Ellingwood  we  will  not  record.  Indeed,  their  relations 
were  too  sacred  and  too  delicate  for  a  public  exposure. 
We  can  only  say  that  a  few  faint  whispers  from  Charles 
filled  the  eyes  of  Mary,  and  traced  themselves  forever  on 
her  heart,  so  that  a  grave  soon  to  be  dug  in  St.  Mary's 


160  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

cemetery  was  to  rise  a  perpetual  barrier  between  her  and 
the  married  state. 

His  old  friends  read  to  the  invalid  from  his  own  Bible. 
Kneeling  at  his  side  they  said  the  old  familiar  prayers. 
Mingling  their  voices  they  sang  the  old  hymns  of  his 
childhood.  Di\  Elton  administered  to  him  the  Holy 
Communion  after  the  old  forms,  so  simple,  so  unctuous,  so 
venerable,  and  exciting  purer,  deeper,  and  more 
powerful  emotion  than  the  most  gorgeous  pageant 
of  St.  Peter's.  At  last  Austin  fell  asleep.  His  life 
simply  exhaled  itself  into  heaven  like  the  fragrance  of  a 
flower.  Mary  Ellingwood  closed  his  eyes.  Mrs.  Cleve- 
land folded  his  hands  across  his  breast.  Jim  fell  weeping 
on  the  cold  clay  in  touching  agony.  Dr.  Elton  preceded 
the  funeral  procession  to  the  mountain,  and  said  at  the 
grave  the  service  of  his  Church.  Here,  peaceful  as  were 
the  scenes  of  grief,  and  calm  as  were  the  tones  of  the  aged 
clergyman,  a  tempest  was  stirred  in  the  heart  of  an  un- 
seen spectator. 

Cleveland,  held  by  an  invisible  spell,  had  lingered 
round  the  Convent.  He  remained  during  the  day  in  a 
cave,  sustained  by  leaves  and  berries.  Stalking  forth  at 
night,  he  wandered  about  the  building  like  a  ghost. 
Often  he  was  on  the  very  point  of  rushing  through  the 
door,  and  recalling  his  wife  to  his  bosom.  The  old  affec- 
tion returned  with  a  violence  almost  irresistible.  He  now 
realized  his  situation.  He  felt  that  he  might  have  been  a 
victim  of  impulse  and  of  ambition.  He  saw  that  he  had 
flung  away  a  happy  past,  with  no  comfort  in  the  present, 
and  no  hope  in  the  future.  He  was  near  the  very  person 
of  his  Emily,  and  yet  separated  from  her  by  an  impas- 
sable abyss.  A  temporaiy,  but  most  powerful  yearning, 
rushed  back  upon  him  for  his  old  faith,  and  his  old  ways, 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  161 

and  his  old  friends.  As  Dr.  Elton's  voice  penetrated  his 
concealment,  recalling  other  years,  and  he  saw  the  form 
of  his  wife  mocking  him  over  the  grave  of  his  proselyte, 
a  night  of  remorse,  despair,  and  anguish,  began  for  a 
moment  to  settle  on  his  soul.  Still  self  was  stronger 
than  truth.  Suffering  had  not  yet  produced  humility. 
Ambition  triumphed.  Hitherto  he  had  imposed  on  him- 
self. If  not  arrested  soon,  he  will  hereafter  impose  on 
others.  As  the  sad  procession  wound  down  the  road,  and 
crossed  the  lawn,  a  storm  was  gathering  on  the  moun- 
tains. Soon  lightnings  leaped  from  peak  to  peak.  Thun- 
ders shook  earth  and  air.  The  sky  became  a  single 
cloud.  But  no  war  of  elements  could  equal  the  tempest 
in  the  soul  of  Arthur  Cleveland,  as  he  shivered  amid 
those  midnight  crags. 
14* 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 


IMPRISONMENT. 


The  shadows  of  evening  were  stealing  over  Major  Wor- 
stal's  company  before  they  left  the  spot  which  witnessed 
the  execution  of  Gordon  and  Ledaway.  They  rode  a  few 
miles  further  and  halting,  their  camp-fires  soon  blazed 
through  the  night.  Edward  Ellingwood  threw  himself 
on  the  ground  near  some  burning  logs,  but  strove  to  sleep 
for  many  hours  in  vain.  The  tragic  scenes  of  the  day 
would  continually  repeat  themselves.  Even  in  his  dreams 
he  would  see  the  commanding  form  of  the  faithful  Gor- 
don, and  hear  the  despairing  shrieks  of  the  apostate  Leda- 
way. He  was  profoundly  impressed  with  the  triumphs  of 
a  Christian  hero  whose  words,  breathing  peace,  would  for- 
ever linger  in  his  ear.  A  solemn  and  purifying  influence 
had  been  left  on  his  spirit  for  life.  With  morning-dawn, 
after  a  hasty  breakfast,  the  party  resumed  its  march.  El- 
lingwood soon  found  that  he  was -to  be  blind-folded  duriDg 
the  rest  of  the  journey.  For  five  days  he  traveled  rapidly, 
enveloped  in  darkness,  until  the  clang  of  horse-hoofs  to  his 
intense  ear  became  a  perpetual  pain.  He  seemed  trans- 
ported from  a  world  of  vision  to  a  world  of  sound.  The 
eye  deprived  of  light  wraps  the  soul  in  gloom.  Shut  out 
from  those  objects  whose  form,  and  color,  and  relations 
continually  occupy  attention,  it  becomes  acutely  alive  to 
innumerable  sensations,  awakened  by  vibrations  in  the 
boundless  air  before  unnoticed.  When  Ellingwood  re- 
called this  strange  period  of  his  history,  in  after  years,  he 
162 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  163 

described  his  impressions  as  resembling  those  produced 
when  the  mind  conceives  two  continents  of  light  separated 
by  an  ocean  of  darkness. 

On  the  evening  of  the  fifth  day,  the  party  reached  a- 
mansion  near  the  ocean-shore  of  eastern  Georgia.  Imme- 
diately after  his  arrival,  Ellingwood  was  conducted  to  his 
apartment,  and  the  bandage  was  removed  from  his  eyes. 
After  a  sound  sleep,  in  a  comfortable  bed,  the  guard  in 
the  hall,  opened  his  door  early  in  the  morning,  and  a 
negro  entered  to  assist  his  toilet,  and  arrange  his  room. 
Soon  afterwards,  his  servant  brought  him  an  excellent 
breakfast.  While  he  is  engaged  with  his  meal,  we  will 
repair  to  the  room  of  Major  Worstal.  That  officer  had 
slept  beneath  the  roof  which  sheltered  Edward  Elling- 
wood.  He  had  spent  many  hours  during  the  night  re- 
calling the  past  and  planning  for  the  future.  While 
Anna  Austin,  either  at  the  ocean-seat  or  the  military 
ball,  had  spoken  no  word  of  rejection,  yet  her  intention 
could  not  be  misconstrued.  Worstal  had  accepted  his 
failure  as  a  fact,  and  the  result  had  been  disastrous  to  his 
character.  He  was  stung  to  frenzy  by  every  recollection 
of  his  defeat.  The  image  of  himself  limping  through  the 
hall,  was  peculiarly  irritating.  Mortification  had  now 
broken  down  that  pride  of  self-respect,  which  had  been 
the  only  conserving  power  of  his  nature.  Anna  Austin 
no  longer  smiled  on  his  path  a  guardian  angel.  To  forget 
himself,  he  plunged  into  the  wildest  debaucheries.  As  a 
consequence,  his  baser  appetites  were  constantly  increas- 
ing their  ascendency.  He  had  become  more  profane, 
more  sensual,  more  brutal,  more  repulsive.  Animalism 
was  now  inscribed  on  his  whole  being.  His  very  manners 
changed  from  the  refinement  of  a  gentleman,  to  the  swag- 
ger of  a  bully.  He  shrank  from  his  own  headlong  ten- 
dencies  to   ruin,  and   resolved   to  make  a  last  effort  to 


164  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

reform,  by  one  more  desperate  proposal  to  his  cousin, 
whom  he  regarded  as  the  only  angel  who  could  arrest  his 
course.  He  had  received  intelligence  of  the  death  of 
Charles  Austin,  and  had  meditated  long  during  the  night, 
how  to  communicate  the  fact  to  his  sister.  At  breakfast 
he  proposed  to  her  in  an  unusually  sober  manner,  another 
walk  to  the  ocean-seat.  She  shrank  from  a  compliance 
with  his  wishes,  but  afraid  to  decline,  she  accepted  his 
proffered  arm,  and  they  proceeded  across  the  lawn. 

"  Cousin  Anna,"  said  Worstal  in  a  tone  designed  to  be 
tender,  "  do  you  know  you  have  a  union  officer  under 
your  roof?" 

"  I  of  course  inferred,"  replied  Anna  with  an  assumed 
indifference,  "  that  your  prisoner  must  have  had  a  com- 
mission, or  he  would  not  have  been  brought  to  our 
house." 

"  Ah  !"  returned  Worstal,  stirred  in  his  lower  nature, 
so  that  evidently  his  violence  would  soon  surpass  the 
gentle  influence  of  his  cousin.  "  I  doubt  whether  I 
should  not  have  hung  the  thieving  Yankee,  or  at  least 
given  him  a  bullet.  Why  I  did  not  treat  him  like  his 
nigger-preaching  Parsons  I  cannot  tell." 

•'  What  were  the  particulars  of  his  capture  ?"  anx- 
iously inquired  Anna,  alarmed  at  the  gathering  passion 
of  her  Herculean  cousin. 

"  A  company  of  infernal  spies  were  riding  into  our 
territory  to  make  observations.  This  officer  and  two 
chaplains  were  cut  off  from  their  party  by  a  detachment 
of  my  men,  and  made  prisoners.  A  messenger  was  sent 
to  inform  me  of  the  circumstances.  Ascertaining  the 
names  of  the  preachers,  I  knew  from  the  papers  they 
were  the  rascals  who  had  just  received  commissions  in 
nigger  regiments.      I    rode    back  like  perdition  to  the 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  165 

Yankee  crew.  I  searched  the  villains,  found  the  docu- 
ments, hung  one  miserable,  cowardly,  shrieking  cur  above 
a  precipice,  and  then  tumbled  him  down  to  the  crows  five 
hundred  feet  below ;  and  shot  the  other  parson,  who  died 
like  a  Christian,  and  a  soldier.  We  bandaged  the  eyes 
of  this  sneaking  General,  and  for  five  days  he  saw  no 
more  of  the  sun  than  old  blind  Sallie." 

During  this  rough  recital,  interspersed  with  blasphe- 
mies we  cannot  record,  the  delicate,  and  sensitive  nature 
of  Anna  Austin  shrank  with  recoil,  and  loathing  from 
her  savage  cousin.  She  said  with  suppressed  disgust, 
"  And  may  I  ask,  Henry,  the  name  of  the  officer  you 
have  conducted  to  our  house  in  darkness  ?" 

Worstal,  without  a  suspicion  that  the  prisoner  had  ever 
been  known  to  Anna,  answered,  "He  is  General  Ed- 
ward Ellingwood — formerly  a  Colonel, — recently  pro- 
moted for  his  pluck,  and  success — as  clever  a  fellow  as 
any  cursed  Yankee  can  be,  born  within  a  hundred  miles 
of  Boston." 

Miss  Austin  commenced  to  tremble  violently,  when  her 
cruel  cousin  pronounced  the  name  of  a  man  she  knew  he 
would  soon  hate,  and  who  was  wholly  within  his  power. 
She  perceived,  however,  instantly  the  necessity  of  con- 
cealing her  interest  and  alarm,  and  was  successful,  by  a 
strong  effort. 

The  Major  now  saw  that  the  unexpected  direction  of 
the  conversation  rendered  it  impossible,  at  this  time,  to 
communicate  the  fact  of  Austin's  death. 

After  tea  he  proposed  another  walk,  and  the  cousins 
were  soon  in  the  seat  they  occupied  in  the  morning. 
Anna,  during  the  day,  had  been  deeply  excited  by  the 
knowledge  that  she  and  Edward  Ellingwood  were  under 
the  same  roof,  and  yet  forbidden  recognition.     She  was 


166  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

now  in  a  subdued  mood,  suitable  for  the  sad  information 
in  reserve  for  her  spirit. 

Twilight  was  settling  over  the  ocean.  Xot  a  wave 
kissed  a  murmur  from  the  shore.  The  sea  gave  back  to 
the  sky  a  single  star.  Solemn  night  would  soon  project 
shadows  like  that  about  to  fall  on  Anna's  soul.  Even 
Worstal  was  softened  by  the  scene. 

After  some  preliminary  conversation,  he  said,  with  all 
the  sympathy  which  his  vices  had  left  in  his  debased 
nature :  "  I  exceedingly  regret  that  General  Brompton  is 
in  Kichmond,  and  that  as  your  only  surviving  relative,  I 
have  to  tell  you  some  bad  news." 

Anna  started  from  her  seat.  She  asked  hurriedly: 
"Did  you  say  my  only  surviving  relative?  Surely, 
surely,  you  do  not  mean  that  Charles  is  dead.  Speak ! 
oh,  speak,  and  relieve  the  dread  you  have  excited." 

"  Dear  cousin,"  he  answered,  taking  her  delicate  white 
hand,  and  sinking  his  voice  into  its  utmost  possible  soft- 
ness. "Your  fears  are  too  well  founded.  I  received, 
several  days  before  reaching  Sea-Side,  a  telegram  from 
Richmond,  announcing  his  death,  and  have  not  before 
had  courage  to  tell  you."  Anna's  cheek  became  white 
and  cold  as  winter.  Her  hollow  eye  refused  a  tear.  She 
clasped  her  hands,  and  uttering  a  low  cry  of  anguish,  she 
sank  into  the  arms  of  her  cousin.  Her  head,  resting  on 
his  bosom,  sent  fire  to  his  heart.  His  blood  rushed 
wildly  along  his  veins.     His  soul  became  a  tempest. 

Forgetting  the  meanness  of  the  action,  he  impressed  a 
kiss  on  the  lips  of  the  unconscious  girl.  He  then  laid  her 
gently  on  the  grass,  and  taking  a  huge  magnolia  leaf  and 
folding  it  into  a  suitable  shape,  he  brought  water  from  a 
neighboring  rivulet,  and  sprinkled  her^face  and  bathed 
her  hands  and  brow.  Anna  soon  recovered,  and  rising 
slowly,  placed  her  arm  in  that  of  her  cousin,  signifying 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  167 

her  desire  to  return.  This  action  made  Worstal's  heart 
again  beat  violently,  and  put  flame  into  his  blood.  His 
undisciplined  nature  knew  no  restraints.  Bending  down, 
he  said  with  passionate  earnestness,  "  You  have  no  rela- 
tives left  but  General  Brompton  and  myself.  He  is  now 
an  aged  man,  and  will  not  live  many  years.  The  South 
is  disturbed  by  war.  Our  niggers  are  becoming  ugly 
since  this  Yankee  proclamation.  I  have  property  and 
position.  I  have  loved  you  since  our  childhood.  I  can 
give  you  protection  and  a  home.  Become  my  wife,  Anna, 
and  save  me  from  the  devil." 

Here  the  poor  wretch  stopped.  He  knew  that  he  was 
passing  the  crisis  of  his  fate,  and  the  quivering  magnolia 
leaf  in  his  hand  shook,  until  the  water-drops,  still  on  its 
surface,  fell  to  the  ground.  There  indeed  seemed  no  other 
angel  in  the  universe,  who  could  beckon  him  towards 
virtue,  but  his  lovely  cousin.  She  herself  felt  that  she 
was  deciding  WorstaPs  future,  for  perhaps  time  and  eter- 
nity. Indeed,  one  reason  why  she  had  never  given,  in 
words,  a  negative,  was  her  fear  of  hastening  his  ruin. 
While  indignant  and  disgusted  with  a  proposal  made 
amid  the  agonies  of  such  a  moment,  the  thought  of  Ed- 
ward  Ellingwood,  and  a  consideration  for  Worstal  him- 
self, constrained  to  self-control.  However  dreadful  the 
effect  of  her  words,  she  now  perceived,  that  the  time  had 
come  for  an  express  and  final  refusal. 

"  Cousin  Henry,"  she  said,  with  a  painful  effort,  "  this 
is  not  the  hour  for  you  to  speak,  or  me  to  hear  anything 
touching  this  subject.  My  heart  has  been  smitten  by  a 
blow  such  as  it  can  never  again  receive.  This,  however,  I 
had  bolter  now  say,  once  and  forever — what  you  propose 
is  impossible.  I  will  always  love  you,  as  a  cousin,  but 
never  as  a  husband." 

This  reply  stirred  all  the  demon  in  Worstal,  and  shaped 


168  THE    AMERICAN    CARDINAL. 

his  "whole  future  character  and  history.  Nothing  but  the 
dignity  of  Miss  Austin's  grief  shielded  her  from  his  rage. 
He  walked  with  her  to  the  house  in  silence,  but  his  soul 
resembled  a  volcano,  whose  flames  are  only  more  violent 
from  suppression. 

Ellingwood,  from  his  window,  had  seen  Anna  pass  over 
the  lawn  in  the  morning,  leaning  on  Worstal's  arm.  He 
could  not  keep  his  eye  from  the  cousins  as  they  conversed 
on  the  ocean-seat.  He  had  observed  their  return  to  the 
same  place  in  the  evening.  Not  wishing  to  be  a  spy  on 
their  actions,  he  had  withdrawn  to  his  lounge,  and 
coming  to  the  window,  after  he  supposed  they  had  retired, 
he  perceived  Anna  in  the  arms  of  the  Major.  While 
they  were  walking  slowly  back  to  the  house,  the  conclu- 
sion was  forced  on  him  that  they  were  married,  and  that 
he  was  either  under  the  roof  of  General  Brompton,  or  of 
his  successful  rival,  in  whose  hands  he  was  a  helpless 
prisoner. 

The  blow  was  sudden  and  dreadful.  The  photograph 
of  Anna  was  at  that  moment  next  his  heart,  folded  in 
the  flag  so  solemnly  given  him  by  his  father.  She  had 
been  to  him  the  ideal  of  every  thing  true,  and  pure,  and 
beautiful  in  woman.  She  had  been  for  years  his  thought 
and  dream.  She  had  been  to  him,  in  expectation,  his 
wife.  Shall  she  be  taken  from  his  love  and  hope  ?  Nay, 
is  she  not  even  now  married  to  a  debauched,  loathsome, 
blasphemous  wretch,  who  had  searched  his  person, 
bandaged  his  eyes,  and  for  days  made  his  ears  witnesses 
of  the  most  repulsive  vulgarity  and  profanity  ? 

Ellingwood  could  no  longer  endure  such  reflections. 
He  tore  open  his  bosom.  He  unwound  the  silken  folds 
which  wrapped,  in  hallowed  stars,  the  image  he  once 
adored.  He  dashed  it  on  the  floor,  and  exhausted  by 
fatigue  and  suffering,  fell  on  his  bed  in  a  wild  delirium.     , 


CHAPTER  XIX, 


REMORSE. 


"  Cleveland,  I  have  more  work  for  you,"  said  Bishop 
Frances,  during  a  conversation  which  occurred  in  the 
drawing-room  of  St.  Mary's. 

"  My  dear  Bishop,"  was  the  quick  reply,  "  Speak,  and  I 
obey.     Submission  to  my  superiors  is  the  rule  of  my  life." 

"  Your  conversion,"  said  Frances,  in  a  most  complacent 
tone,  "I  regard  as  the  great  work  of  my  Priesthood. 
The  moment  when  you  vowed  yourself  to  Pio  Nino, 
while  kneeling  before  his  picture,  and  that  in  which  you 
took  the  irrevocable  oath  of  our  order,  can  never  be  for- 
gotten. The  conversion  of  Austin  has  more  than  realized 
all  my  expectations.  Let  me  inform  you  that  a  mitre 
has  already  rewarded  your  previous  successes,  and  a 
Cardinal's  hat  will  now  certainly  follow." 

Cleveland  was  at  once  delighted  and  confounded.  An 
elevation  so  sudden  and  dazzling  had  not  been  expected. 
Frances,  warmly  grasping  his  convert's  hand,  added :  "  I 
am  the  first  to  salute  Bishop  Arthur  Cleveland." 

"  And  I,"  replied  the  new  dignitary,  "  can  only  regard 
myself  as  utterly  unworthy — a  weak,  faithless,  stumbling, 
unprofitable  servant." 

"Humility,"  rejoined  the  Bishop,  "is  the  root  of  piety. 
The  Monk  of  Cluny  was,  in  his  own  eyes,  a  vile  sinner. 
The  halo  of  sanctity  lingers  in  the  valley,  and  cannot 
crown  the  hill." 

"  But  I  know,  that  to  your  own  persistent  partiality 
15  169 


170  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

and  influence  at  the  Vatican,  I  owe  this  undeserved 
elevation." 

"  Reserve  your  sackcloth  for  your  cell.  Our  infallible 
Father  at  Rome  has  heard  of  your  numerous  American 
triumphs,  and  sees  your  future  availability.  St.  Peter 
and  Loyola,  neither  on  earth  nor  in  heaven,  ever  forget 
their  faithful  servants." 

Not  many  days  after  this  interview,  Cleveland  was 
consecrated  in  the  chapel  of  St.  Mary's  with  quiet,  yet 
imposing  splendor.  When  the  ceremony  was  concluded, 
and  he  was  walking  over  the  lawn,  with  his  arm  familiarly 
in  that  of  Frances,  the  latter  suddenly  pausing,  and  turn- 
ing towards  the  new  Bishop,  said :  "  I  told  you  I  had 
work  for  you,  and  you  have  not  yet  inquired  its  character. 
You  then  promised  me  obedience  as  a  superior!  Will 
you  now  engage  to  please  me  as  an  equal  ?" 

"  Nothing,"  responded  Cleveland,  "  can  afford  me 
greater  gratification,  than  to  comply  with  your  wishes." 

"  Your  marvellous  success  with  Austin,  inspires  a  hope 
that  you  may  win  Ellingwood.  Of  course,  the  circum- 
stanes  are  not  so  peculiarly  favorable.  It  strikes  me, 
however,  before  you  settle  in  your  Diocese,  you  had  better 
begin  your  episcopal  career,  by  a  direct  effort  to  convert 
your  former  pupil,  now  a  General  in  the  Federal  army. 
Father  John  has  informed  me  by  a  telegram,  shrewdly 
sent,  that  he  is  a  prisoner  of  Major  "Worstal,  at  Sea-Side. 
That  officer  is  an  hereditary  Catholic,  and  will  materi- 
ally aid  your  plans."  The  face  of  Cleveland  glowed  with 
pleasure. 

"  Thank  you,  thank  you  a  thousand  times  for  this  sug- 
gestion. Heaven  has  indeed  honored  my  labors.  Gladly 
will  I  undertake  this  mission,  and  pray  the  Virgin  to 
bless  my  efforts." 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  171 

"When  this  work  is  achieved,"  said  Frances,  "you 
must  see  Home.  No  man's  ecclesiastical  education  can 
be  complete,  until  lie  has  breathed  the  atmosphere  of  the 
eternal  city.  At  her  altars  you  will  kindle  with  new  in- 
spiration. I  wish  you  also  to  know  his  Holiness,  to 
participate  in  the  grand  service  of  St.  Peter,  and  study 
for  yourself  our  system,  extending  from  the  Propaganda 
as  its  centre,  to  the  remotest  limits  of  the  earth." 

Bishop  Cleveland  speedily  made  arrangements  to  visit 
Sea-Side.  Having  been  passed  over  the  lines,  attended  by 
Jim  as  his  servant,  after  a  fatiguing  and  perilous  jour- 
ney, he  received  a  warm  welcome  from  General  Brompton 
and  his  family,  and  was  charmed  to  occupy  an  apartment 
looking  over  the  expanse  of  the  ocean.  Yet  we  must  not 
be  misled  into  inferring  that  his  experience,  previous  to 
his  consecration,  had  been  without  struggle  and  suffering. 
We  may  remember  him  on  the  mountain,  and  perhaps  it 
may  be  well  even  here  to  narrate,  what  transpired  imme- 
diately after  the  funeral  of  Charles  Austin. 

He  had  watched  from  his  concealment,  with  the  deepest 
emotion,  the  form  of  his  wife,  fading  in  the  distance,  as 
she  removed  with  the  members  of  the  Commission,  from 
the  Convent  of  St.  Mary.  He  returned  to  the  deserted 
building,  and  wandered  about  its  silent  apartments,  soli- 
tary, desolate,  miserable,  seeming,  even  to  himself,  a 
hollow  ghost.  Pictures,  statues,  images,  looked  on  him 
reprovingly.  Saints  seemed  to  shrink  away  from  his  gaze, 
as  if  he  were  a  contamination.  Angels,  had  in  their  eyes, 
the  sadness  of  pity  and  rebuke.  Demons  glared  in  flame 
from  their  canvass.  The  face  of  our  Saviour  turned  on 
St.  Peter,  in  his  tears,  almost  overwhelmed  the  heart  of 
Cleveland,  when  he  remembered  how  nearly  he  had  for- 
gotten hi3  vows,  and  rushed  to  the  embraces  of  his  wife. 


172  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

Passing  a  large  mirror,  lie  imagined  he  saw  in  his  hair 
the  prophetic  blight  of  age,  already  crowning  him  prema- 
turely with  its  winter-snow.  His  face  was  furrowed  with 
his  sufferings.  He  moved  almost  like  a  lost  spirit 
through  the  tenantless  building,  and  was  tempted  again 
to  break  away  from  a  position  he  began  to  fear  was  false. 
But  then  his  future  would  lie  on  either  hand  between 
men  whom  he  had  betrayed.  His  situation  reminded  him 
of  a  decaying  bridge  in  a  mad  torrent  with  both  ends 
shattered  from  the  shore.  He  had  no  faith  in  himself; 
he  had  no  faith  in  Protestantism ;  he  had  no  faith  in  Ro- 
manism ;  he  had  no  faith  in  man ;  he  had  no  faith  in  God. 

The  return  of  the  inmates  of  the  Convent,  and  especially 
the  society  of  Bishop  Frances,  terminated  these  solitary 
sufferings.  Then  followed  the  excitements  of  his  appoint- 
ment and  his  consecration.  Kow  he  is  at  Sea-Side 
absorbed  in  his  new  mission,  and  with  only  occasional 
mutterings  of  those  former  tempests. 


CHAPTER  XX. 


JIM     AND     JUMBO. 


Major  "Worstal  suddenly  received  an  unexpected 
order  to  join  a  distant  expedition.  He  was  in  command 
of  a  prison  not  far  from  Sea-Side,  and  was  not  prepared 
for  such  a  commission.  However,  the  order  was  impera- 
tive, and  he  was  compelled  to  obey.  He  preceded  Jumbo 
to  the  stable  to  superintend  the  operation  of  grooming 
Minerva,  to  prepare  her  for  a  long  and  hard  ride. 

As  the  African  was  meekly  following  his  great  dimen- 
sions, a  low  chuckle  arrested  his  attention,  and  caused  him 
to  turn  his  head.  He  observed  a  broad  grin  overspread- 
ing the  negro's  face,  and  when  Jim  made  his  appearance, 
the  father  and  the  son  were  plainly  in  a  spirit  of  sympa- 
thetic laughter,  subdued,  however,  by  fear  of  the  dreaded 
Major.  With  an  energy,  inspired  by  his  presence,  each 
knelt,  rubbing  vigorously  a  front  leg  of  Minerva,  while 
Worstal  stood  observing  the  operation,  with  his  hands  in 
his  pockets,  and  rolling  his  tobacco  in  his  cheek.  As 
Jumbo  and  Jim  plied  their  black  hands,  their  thick  red 
lips,  stretched  from  ear  to  ear,  showed  shining  rows  of  ivory. 
Grin  now  answered  to  grin,  and  chuckle  to  chuckle. 
Sometimes  the  filial,  sometimes  the  paternal  merriment 
was  evinced  by  a  quick  poke  from  the  offspring  to  the  pa- 
rent, and  from  the  parent  to  the  offspring.  Their  amuse- 
ment became  contagious.  Even  the  countenance  of  the 
Major  gleamed  into  a  smile,  as  he  said,  "  Why,  Jumbo, 
you  laughing  nigger,  what  ails  you  this  morning  ?  I  sup- 
15*  173 


174  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

pose  when  General  Brompton  arrived  he  gave  you  a 
quarter  for  stealing  his  chickens  during  his  absence  ?" 

"  No,  no,  massa  Maja,"  replied  Jumbo,  with  a  sobered 
face,  and  laying  his  straw-whisp  on  the  floor,  as  he  looked 
up  with  an  air  of  injured  innocence,  "  Jumbo  want  no 
quata  to  'munerate  de  compensashun  ob  de  service  he  gib 
de  Gineral." 

"  Oh,  I  understand,"  interrupted  TVorstal,  "  My  uncle 
has  given  Jim  that  old  hat  for  running  away  and  leaving 
Colonel  Charles  to  the  mercies  of  the  Yankees." 

This  speech  brought  Jim  to  a  pause,  and  made  him 
take  from  his  wool  an  immense  rimless  hat,  with  the  top 
knocked  in,  which  came  down  nearly  to  his  eyes,  and 
which  once,  in  a  more  hopeful  condition,  had  covered  the 
honored  head  of  the  Lord  of  Sea-Side.  Holding  up  the 
remnant  in  his  left  hand,  and  pointing  at  it  with  the 
straw- whisp  in  his  right,  he  answered,  with  a  touching  pro- 
test, "No,  massa  Maja,  no,  no.  Jim  nebber  do  dat.  He 
played  wid  massa  Charles  by  him  cradle.  He  foller  massa 
Charles  to  de  roarin  fiel  of  battle ;  he  nuss  massa  Charles 
till  him  die  ;  he  stand  ober  massa  Charles'  grave,  and  he 
want  no  dispensashun  from  de  Gineral's  head  for  dat  dar 
servis." 

"  What  in  the  mischief  then  made  you  niggers  grin 
like  two  monkies  over  a  pea-nut  ?"  asked  Worstal  im- 
patiently. The  father,  and  son  instantly  resumed  their 
rubbing,  forgot  their  gravity,  and  were  soon  repeating 
another  series  of  grins,  and  chuckles  and  pokes.  The 
Major  was  getting  furious.  Taking  his  hands  from  his 
pockets,  and  snugging  his  quid  into  his  right  cheek,  he 
seized  his  riding-whip,  and  roared  forth. 

"  You  impudent  black  villains  tell  me  at  once  what 
you  are  laughing  at  ?" 


THE    AMERICAN    CARDINAL.  175 

"  Massa  Maja,"  answered  Jumbo,  again  suspending  his 
labors,  and  assuming  the  air  of  a  patriarch,  and  scratch- 
ing his  head  with  a  significant  wisdom, 

"  Dis  Nigga's  gray  wool  hab  learnt  in  sixty  years  dar 
be  some  t'ings  by  'speriens  had  bess  be  kep  in  de  base- 
ment ob  de  soul  like  de  Virginny  apples  in  de  cellar  ob 
de  house." 

These  words  were  followed  by  an  emphatic  applica- 
tion of  the  straw-whisp  to  the  region  of  the  stomach  as 
if  that  was  the  deep  seat  of  wisdom. 

"  But  it  is  dangerous  in  these  times  for  you  niggers  to 
have  secrets.  Tell  me  everything,"  said  "WorstaJ,  whose 
curiosity  was  thoroughly  aroused. 

"  Massa  Maja,"  "  rejoined  Jumbo,  "  if  me  tell  what  de 
unyon  ofica  say  in  his  'lirium,  me  might  rais  de  'citement 
ob  dat  housol,  and  Jumbo  displore  de  sconsesquences 
of  his  observashuns  down  to  de  time  he  shut  de  whites  of 
him  eyes  on  dat  hebbenly  light,"  pointing  to  the  brilliant 
sun  pouring  his  rays  into  the  stable,  and  showing  long 
dancing  lines  of  illuminated  motes. 

"  You  blasted  nigger,"  cried  the  angry  Major.  "  Out 
with  it,  or  I'll  bring  this  whip  about  your  wool." 

As  the  instrument  of  punishment  was  threateningly 
raised,  and  Jumbo  began  to  fear  its  sharp  sting  around 
his  ears,  he  saw  that  he  had  gotten  himself  into  trouble. 
Jim  enjoyed  his  sire's  dilemma,  and  with  a  nudge  uttered 
a  low  chuckling  laugh.     Jumbo  resumed : 

"  What  dat  ofica  speak  war  not  'bout  de  bisness  of  de 
gubberment,  but  'bout  de  'fections  of  him  heart." 

This  still  more  inflamed  the  impatient  curiosity  of  the 
violent  Worstal. 

"  I  don't  care,"  he  exclaimed,  lifting  the  whip,  and 
shaking  it  over  the  negro's  head.    "  Speak,  or  I  strike." 


176  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

"  Will  Massa  Maja  take  all  de  'sponsibility  ?"  asked 
Jumbo,  thoroughly  frightened. 

"  I  tell  you,  speak,  you  black  dog,"  thundered  the  Ma- 
jor, vigorously  applying  the  whip. 

Resistance,  or  delay  were  evidently  in  vain.  Jumbo 
began  with  a  solemn,  and  deliberate  air  of  mystery. 

"Do  de  Maja  know;  could  de  Maja  tink ;  could  de 
Maja  conceib  de  comprenshun  of  the  idee  dat  de  Yank 
ofica  lub  his  cousin,  Missus  Anna  Ausson  ?" 

"  What  do  you  mean,  you  old  monkey  ?  How  dare 
you  talk  about  such  a  thing  ?"  shouted  Worstal. 

"  Me  do  dat,"  said  Jumbo  slowly,  "  'spressly  by  de 
comman  of  Maja  Henry  Wossal  hiself.  By  dat  dar 
same  comman,  me  now  stop  my  observashuns." 

Here  the  provoking  fellow  deliberately  took  up  his 
straw-whisp,  and  resumed  his  task  of  rubbing  Minerva's 
leg  with  a  most  tantalizing  energy. 

Worstal  stamped  with  rage.     He  yelled  : 

"  Tell  me  the  story  without  stopping,  or  I  will  tear  the 
tongue  from  your  black  carcass." 

Jumbo  now  put  down  his  straw-whisp,  and  began  in  ear- 
nest. 

"Massa  Maja  den  take  de  'sponsibilitie  of  dis  nigga's 
'munications.  He  go  dis  mornin  to  de  room  of  de  unyon 
ofica — he  opun  de  winder  to  let  in  de  light  ob  hebben — 
de  ofica  lay  dar  a  tossin,  and  groanin  in  de  bed — he  start 
up  wid  his  eyes  a  rollin,  and  a  starin  like  de  ghost — he 
trow  'bout  his  arms  like  Massa  suga-press — he  cry  wild  as 
de  hurt  hoss  Jim  tell  me  'bout  flying  on  the  battle-fiel — 
he  say,  Oh,  Missus  Anna,  why,  why  you  'ceive  dis  heart, 
why  you  break  dis  heart,  why  you  tear  dis  heart,  why  you 
marry  dat?" 

"Marry!"  burst  forth  Worstal,  pale  with  rage,  "Marry! 
Marry  who?"  -* 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  177 

r 

"  Shall  dis  nigga  tell,"  said  Jumbo,  hesitatingly  and 
imploringly,  and  evidently  fearing  the  consequences  of  his 
■words. 

"  Out,  out,  out  with  it,  you  dog,  you  monkey,  you 
devil,"  shrieked  Worstal,  inflicting  some  sharp  blows  on 
Jumbo  which  made  him  rub  his  arms  as  energetically  as 
he  had  rubbed  Minerva's  legs.  But  even  yet  the  negro 
-was  afraid  to  speak.  The  Major,  however,  seized  him  by 
the  shoulders  and  shaking  his  whole  body,  said,  "  Marry 
who?" 

"  Marry,"  cried  Jumbo,  with  the  utmost  haste,  as  if  he 
wished  the  offensive  sentence  delivered,  and  the  danger 
over,  "  de  unyon  ofica  say,  '  why  you  marry  dat  coas,  vul- 
ga',  swearin',  drinkin',  bullyin',  blaspheming  murderin' 
Maja' W.ossal?" 

It  was  done.  Henry  "Worstal  saw  his  own  picture 
before  him,  painted  by  his  prisoner,  Edward  Ellingwood, 
whom  he  now  knew  was  his  rival  and  his  enemy.  He 
presented  a  spectacle  of  terrible  passion.  A  demon 
glared  in  his  eye.  Jumbo  was  terrified  ;  and  in  his  fear, 
told  what  he  had  not  intended. 

"  Me  see,"  he  added,  "  de  pictur  of  Missus  Anna  lyin' 
on  de  ofica's  floor,  and  it  be  dar  dis  minnit." 

Worstal  turned  around  instantly  without  a  word,  and 
stalked  fearfully  over  the  yard.  He  crossed  rapidly  the 
piazza.  He  entered  the  hall  door,  and  rushed  swiftly 
up  the  stairs,  and  burst  into  Ellingwood's  room.  There 
lay  his  prisoner  on  his  bed  in  a  soft  slumber,  and  there  on 
the  floor  lay  the  very  photograph  thrown  aside  unex- 
amined by  himself  during  the  search  on  the  mountain. 
He  picked  up  the  hated  image,  and  gnashing  his  teeth, 
threw  it  violently  down,  and  with  his  heel  ground  it  into 
pieces,  until  the  fragments  were  imbedded  in  the  carpet. 


178   -  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

He  then  stood  scowling  down  on  the  sleeping  Ellingwood, 
with  his  hand  clutching  his  sword-hilt.  Nothing  but 
General  Brompton's  presence  in  the  house  shielded  Ed- 
ward's life.  As  it  was,  it  can  hardly  be  comprehended 
why  his  heart-blood  did  not  stain  his  pillow.  However, 
Worstal  had  that  dread  of  his  uncle  which  men  powerful 
-in  muscle  often  feel  towards  their  intellectual  superiors. 
He  therefore  turned  reluctantly  away,  and  as  his  order 
was  peremptory,  he  saw  himself  compelled  to  leave  in 
Eden  the  very  serpent  he  had  introduced.  He  hurried  to 
the  stable,  flung  himself  on  Minerva,  and  was  soon  flying 
over  the  country  like  a  devil  just  let  loose  from  hell  to 
work  ruin  on  the  earth. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

FEVER-FRENZY. 

"  Bishop  Cleveland,  we  are  indeed  happy  to  wel- 
come you  to  Sea-Side.  We  owe  you  eternal  gratitude," 
said  General  Brompton  after  breakfast  one  morning  in 
the  parlor. 

"  Yes,  truly,"  added  his  niece,  "  we  can  never  repay 
your  kindness  to  Charles,"  and  her  eye  filled,  and  her 
voice  softened  as  she  spoke.  A  tear  also  quivered  on  her 
uncle's  lid,  and  rolled  over  his  cheek,  and  dropped  to  the 
floor. 

"  Oh,  it  was  one  of  the  highest  privileges  of  my  life," 
replied  the  Bishop  in  a  tender,  winning  tone,  "  to  bear  my 
dear  friend  from  the  field  of  death,  to  nurse  him  during 
his  sickness,  and  administer  the  consolations  of  the 
Church." 

There  was  an  almost  painful  contrast  between  the  sad- 
ness of  the  group  and  the  brilliance  of  the  hour.  A 
fresh  breeze  blew  through  the  opened  window  from  the 
sea.  The  morning  sun  had  wheeled  his  circle  of  fire 
high  above  the  ocean,  yet  was  still  tracing  a  long  path 
of  rippling  flame  over  the  waves,  which  danced,  and 
flashed  through  the  pines.  Birds  sang  inspiringly  on  the 
branches,  and  flowers  glowed  brightly  over  the  lawn. 
The  uncle  sat  on  a  lounge  with  his  niece  by  his  side, 
and  Cleveland  on  a  chair  opposite  the  window,  occa- 
sionally turning  an  admiriDg  eye  upon  the  scene. 

"  How    magnificent    this    prospect !"    ejaculated   the 

179 


180  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

Bishop,  wishing  for  a  moment  to  divert  the  attention  of 
his  friends. 

"How  well  your  trees  are  arranged  to  display  that 
blue  expanse  !  How  rich  and  splendid  your  Southern 
landscape !  That  sky  rivals  Italy." 

"  We  would  be  happy  to  forget  our  sad  thoughts  in 
admiring  this  familiar  beauty,  but  you  will  not  think  it 
strange  if  our  minds  are  reverting  to  other  topics  than 
the  charms  of  nature,"  said  the  General  mournfully. 

"  Pardon  me,  I  pray  you,"  interposed  the  Bishop  some- 
what anxiously,  "  if  my  remarks  have  produced  in  your 
hearts  a  needless  jar." 

"It  is  our  own  gloom,  my  right  reverend  sir,  which  re- 
quires apology.  I  fear  you  will  not  have  a  particularly 
sunny  visit  at  Sea-Side.  War  spreads  a  cloud  over  every- 
thing, and  it  seems  impossible  for  us  to  escape  the  recol- 
lection of  our  great  loss.  Will  you  not  describe  to  us  the 
circumstances  of  my  nephew's  wound,  and  death  ?" 

"  I  will  most  willingly  comply  with  your  request,"  an- 
swered Cleveland.  "I  only  regret  that  I  am  not  the  bearer 
of  joy  instead  of  woe." 

"We  are  prepared  for  the  recital,"  said  General 
Bronipton.  "  I  have  given  orders  that  only  Doctor  Bain- 
bridge  and  Father  John  be  admitted  to  the  house,  so 
you  need  fear  no  interruption.  I  believe  you  joined  the 
regiment  of  Charles,  on  the  Potomac,  as  Chaplain." 

"  Yes,  I  have  borne  the  commission  of  your  confed- 
eracy. Your  nephew  and  myself,  shared  for  weeks  the 
same  tent,  and  often  the  same  bed." 

"  Did  he  seem  to  have  any  presentiment  of  his  death  ?  " 
inquired  the  General. 

"  We  observed  nothing  peculiar  in  him,  unless,  perhaps, 
if  possible,  a  more  earnest  attention  to  his  duties,  and  an 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  181 

increased  grace  and  sweetness  in  his  manners,  which,  you 
know,  were  always  charming.  Not  a  soldier  or  a  drum- 
mer-boy in  the  regiment,  who  did  not  love  and  esteem 
him  as  a  friend." 

"  Will  you  inform  us,  Bishop,"  said  Anna,  touchingly, 
"  how  our  dear  Charles  looked  on  the  day  of  his  wound  ? 
I  have  in  my  mind,  a  vivid  picture,  and  I  wish  to  see  how 
it  accords  with  the  facts." 

"  We  had  a  hot,  dusty,  weary,  march  from  the  Poto- 
mac. Then  occurred  the  hurried  preparations  for  battle, 
and  the  intensity  of  mind,  incident  to  such  a  scene. 
Fatigue  and  anxiety  had  exhausted  your  brother,  aggra- 
vating his  cough,  and  increasing  his  emaciation.  On  the 
first  day  of  the  engagement,  he  was  stationed  in  a  grove, 
and  near  a  mountain-spring,  as  a  reserve,  and  had  time  to 
recruit  himself  and  his  men.  On  the  terrible  fourth,  as 
he  sat  on  his  noble  white  horse  in  full  uniform,  he  seemed 
a  model  of  soldierly  beauty.  His  slender  person  towered 
almost  into  majesty,  and  his  eye  and  face,  shone  in  the 
mingled  light  of  genius,  courage  and  devotion.  He 
charged,  at  the  head  of  his  regiment,  like  a  thunderbolt. 
When  the  roar  subsided  and  the  smoke  lifted,  I  saw  his 
frenzied  steed  flying  over  the  field  with  an  emptied  sad- 
dle and  snorting  in  his  terror.  I  can  only  remember  that 
I  rushed  forward,  was  trampled  on  the  ground,  and  when 
consciousness  returned,  found  myself  stumbling  beneath 
the  stars,  and  over  the  slain.  The  horrors  of  that  night, 
scare  me  even  in  my  dreams."  And  as  he  uttered  these 
words,  he  placed  his  hands  before  his  eyes  as  if  he  would 
shut  from  his  view  some  vision   of  terror. 

Anna  suppressed  a  cry  bursting  from  her  lips,  and  re- 
lieved by  tears,  said : 

"  Pardon  my  agitation,  and  I  will  endeavor  not  again 
to  disturb  your  thrilling  narrative/' 

16  ~~^ 


182  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

"  Surely,"  returned  the  Bishop,  smiling  benignantly,  and 
in  his  peculiarly  musical  voice,  which  resembled  the  silver 
notes  of  the  flute,  "  a  sister's  grief  over  a  brother's  wound, 
needs  no  apology.     Shall  I  proceed  ?" 

"  By  all  means,"  exclaimed  the  uncle  and  niece  in  the 
same  breath. 

"  I  and  faithful  Jim,"  resumed  Cleveland,  "  then  raised 
the  Colonel,  carried  him  over  the  field,  and  bore  him  to 
the  Convent  of  St.  Mary's,  as  he  himself  had  suggested  in 
a  faint  whisper  before  relapsing  into  his  swoon.  Here  he 
was  tenderly  nursed  for  many  days.  The  place,  from  its 
beauty,  and  associations,  and  advantages,  was  all  that 
could  be  desired  for  a  dying  Christian  soldier.  My  friend, 
during  the  last  periods  of  his  life,  reclined  on  his  lounge, 
and  was  wheeled  through  the  Convent,  and  over  the  lawn, 
and  into  the  chapel.  He  never  spoke,  communicating 
only  with  Jim  and  by  signs.  A  heavenly  beauty  diffused 
itself  over  his  face,  which  seemed  encircled  with  a  light 
from  the  eternal  world.  His  image  will  linger  in  my 
memory  forever.  I  suppose  you  know,  sir,  that  he  partook 
of  the  Holy  Communion  in  our  Church  ?" 

"  Yes,"  replied  the  General,  "  I  am  truly  thankful  you 
admitted  him  to  that  sacrament.  As  a  speechless  and 
dying  man,  I  presume  you  extended  the  privilege  as  an 
extraordinary  favor." 

"  We  regarded  his  participation,"  returned  the  Bishop, 
"  of  course,  as  a  proof  that  he  considered  himself  a  Ro- 
man Catholic." 

General  Brompton  started,  and  Anna  looked  surprised. 
The  former  then  asked ; 

"  Was  my  nephew  buried  according  to  the  rites  of  your 
Church?" 

This  question  brought  scarlet  to  the  cheek  of  Cleveland, 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  183 

bright  as  his  anticipated  hat.  He  was,  for  a  moment, 
entirely  discomfited.  The  recollection  of  his  wife's  ap- 
pearance on  the  scene,  and  of  his  own  keen  pangs  and 
mortifying  disappointments,  rushed  over  him,  and  he  was 
almost  unable  to  reply.  With  a  desperate  effort  for  com- 
posure, he  at  last  answered :  "  Just  before  the  Colonel 
expired,  the  Christian  Commission  came  swarming  like 
locusts  into  our  Convent,  took  possession  of  your  nephew, 
and  he  was  committed  to  the  earth  by  an  Episcopal 
clergyman  in  unconsecrated  ground,  and  according  to  the 
Protestant  form."  The  uncle  and  the  niece  were  evidently 
gratified  at  this  conclusion.  With  the  utmost  warmth, 
the  General  then  grasped  the  hand  of  Cleveland,  saying : 
"  We  are  under  inconceivable  obligation  to  you  for  your 
kindness.  Ever  consider  ourselves,  and  our  home,  at  your 
disposal,  and  accept  thanks  from  our  grateful  hearts." 
Anna's  silent  tears  told  more  impressively  than  words 
how  deeply  her  heart  was  moved. 

Dr.  Bainbridge  and  Father  John  were  now  announced, 
and  soon  entered  the  room.  After  the  customary  morning 
salutations,  the  Physician  said :  "  General  Brompton,  I 
have  just  been  visiting  your  prisoner.  He  is  a  most 
interesting  and  striking  person,  even  in  the  wildness  of 
his  fever.     But  I  fear  his  condition  is  extremely  critical." 

"  It  gives  me  great  pain  to  learn  this,"  answered  the 
kind  old  lawyer.  "Edward  Ellingwood  is  rather  my 
guest  than  my  prisoner.  He  was  the  intimate  friend  of 
Charles  before  the  war.  His  sister  and  Anna  love  each 
other  warmly,  and  for  the  Judge,  his  father,  I  entertain  a 
profound  esteem.  Although  a  Union  officer  in  arms 
against  the  Confederacy,  he  shall  receive,  under  my  roof, 
every  attention  I  could  give  a  son." 

The  opinion  of  Dr.  Bainbridge  had  darted   a  pang 


184  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

through  the  heart  of  Anna  Austin.  Her  hlood  appeared 
to  be  on  fire,  and  to  burn  through  her  very  cheeks.  She 
-was  soon  compelled  to  recline  on  a  pillow  of  the  old- 
fashioned  sofa.  Edward  Ellingwood  was  in  the  same 
house — wildly  delirious — perhaps  about  to  expire  in  a  few 
hours — yet  she  had  not  exchanged  with  him  a  single 
word.  She  had  not  even  seen  him  in  his  sufferings. 
These  reflections,  preceded  by  the  account  of  her  brother's 
wound,  and  death  and  burial,  produced  a  tumult  in  her 
breast,  and  robed  her  life  in  gloom. 

The  gentlemen  were  too  much  occupied  to  notice  her 
emotion,  and  soon  withdrew  to  visit  the  prisoner,  leaving 
her  alone  in  her  sorrow.  When  they  entered  the  chamber 
of  Ellingwood,  they  found  him  in  the  height  of  his  fever- 
frenzy.  He  was  sitting  on  his  bed.  His  eyes  stood  out 
glaring  from  his  head.  His  face  worked  with  terror. 
His  hands  now  clutched  his  pillow,  and  now  were  flung 
out  wildly  about  his  person.  The  veins  of  his  forehead 
were  swelled  almost  to  bursting  with  the  hot  rushing 
blood.  Every  sinew  of  his  body  was  strained  like  a  cord. 
His  imagination  was  evidently  picturing  some  frightful 
vision.  Turning  the  backs  of  his  hands  before  his  eyes, 
while  his  fingers  twisted  fearfully  and  his  face  was  half 
averted,  he  exclaimed,  in  the  most  penetrating  and  terri- 
fied tones : 

"Stop!  stop!  Don't  shoot  that  man!  Don't!  don't! 
don't !  Take  away  that  rope !  Don't  hang  that  poor  fel- 
low !  Hear  his  screams !  See  his  body !  How  he  twists, 
twists,  twists  !  Poor  Gordon !  Save  him,  my  God,  save 
him !  He  is  dead,  dead,  dead,  dead  !"  Here  burst  from 
his  lips  dreadful  shrieks,  and  Ellingwood  fell  back  on  his 
bed  helpless  and  exhausted. 

Anna  attracted  by  his  yells  stood  at  his  door  the  image 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  185 

of  grief  and  despair.  Dr.  Bainbridge  felt  the  pulse  of  his 
patient,  and  pronounced  him  at  the  crisis  of  his  disease. 
He  remarked,  "  Medicine  is  of  no  possible  avail.  Only- 
good  nursing  and  heaven's  blessing  can  effect  his  re- 
covery." 

The  Bishop,  regarding  Edward  with  the  greatest  ten- 
derness, turned  to  the  physician,  and  proffered  his  ser- 
vices, saying,  "  Doctor,  General  Ellingwood  was  my  for- 
mer beloved  pupil,  and  I  must  claim  the  privilege  of  at- 
tending him  during  his  sickness.  Permit  me  to  have  a 
lounge  brought  into  his  room  and  to  nurse  him  day  and 
night." 

"  Certainly,"  replied  Dr.  Bainbridge,  "  nothing  could 
be  better.  In  his  situation  he  needs  the  sympathetic  care 
of  friends  more  than  my  prescriptions." 

"  And  I,"  interposed  Father  Johu,  "  will  be  pleased  to 
relieve  the  Bishop  when  he  is  exhausted  by  watching, 
and  fatigue." 

"  I  too,"  said  Miss  Austin,  stepping  forward  from  the 
door,  "  must  claim  some  part  in  promoting  the  restora- 
tion of  my  friend's  brother,  and  my  brother's  friend." 

"  I  regret  exceedingly,"  added  General  Brompton, 
"  that  my  necessary  absence  at  Richmond  will  remove  me 
from  the  scene  of  these  pleasing  labors.  However,  it  will 
afford  me  an  opportunity  of  procuring  from  the  govern- 
ment an  order  which  will  keep  General  Ellingwood  at 
my  house,  and  from  the  prison,  until  his  health  is  suffi- 
ciently restored  to  justify  his  removal." 

All  the  arrangements  were  made  according  to  these 
suggestions.  Bishop  Cleveland,  and  Father  John  slept 
in  Ellingwood's  bed-room,  and  were  ceaseless  in  their  care. 
Dr.  Bainbridge  visited  him  constantly,  and  contributed 
his  long  experience  and  famous  skill  to  promote  the 
16* 


186  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

recovery  of  the  suffering  stranger.  There  was  only  one 
other  return  of  the  delirium.  Ellingwood  then  seemed 
to  see  Worstal  and  his  bride  before  the  marriage-altar. 
He  plead  frantically  that  the  ceremony  should  stop,  and 
poured  on  the  head  of  his  enemy  the  most  withering 
curses.  Anna  started  in  terror  when  she  heard  her  name 
wildly  uttered.  Then  followed  days  of  stupor.  The 
patient  lay  balancing  between  life  and  death.  His  cham- 
ber was  darkened.  The  tick  of  his  watch  over  the 
mantle  had  a  sympathetic  emphasis.  Every  voice  was 
subdued,  and  every  step  was  muffled,  and  every  face  was 
intense  with  anxiety.  When  Dr.  Bainbridge  examined 
Edward's  pulse  the  spectators  stood  around  silent  as  if 
eternity  was  suspended  on  his  announcement.  Finally 
the  crisis  passed.  Ellingwood  lay  for  hours  during  which 
his  life  appeared  to  pass  before  him  like  a  panorama. 
He  was  a  boy  at  Willow-Shade ;  he  was  on  the  com- 
mencement-platform, with  Charles  Austin,  delivering  his 
valedictory;  he  was  dashing  amid  balls  and  shells, 
against  the  enemy ;  he  was  steaming  through  a  Missis- 
sippi bayou  ;  he  was  floating  before  the  blaze  of  Vicks- 
burgh  batteries ;  he  was  leading  an  assault  on  Lookout 
Mountain;  he  was  on  the  rock  where  Ledaway  was 
hanged,  and  Gordon  was  shotj  he  was  in  deadly  fight 
with  Worstal ;  life-histories  crossed  his  vision  like  proces- 
sions of  clouds.  Amid  all  were  the  faces  of  his  father  and 
sister,  while  Anna  Austin,  smiled  an  angel  from  heaven. 
Once  she  came  into  his  room  and  pressed  to  his  lips  a 
glass  of  water.  Her  touch  thrilled  through  his  veins  like 
electric  sparks.  At  last,  careful  nursing,  medical  skill 
and  a  good  constitution,  with  the  blessing  from  above, 
triumphed,  and  Edward  Ellingwood  began  to  exhibit 
proofs  of  a  certain  recovery. 


CHAPTER  XXII, 


LOVE  ON  THE  WAVE. 


Perhaps  there  is  no  period  of  life  when  sensation  is  so 
acute  and  vigorous,  as  that  which  marks  the  transition 
from  disease  to  health.  The  simple  relief  from  pain  is 
itself  a  pleasure.  Our  exile  from  nature  invests  every 
object  with  novelty,  and  it  is  saluted  as  a  friend  from 
which  we  have  been  long  separated.  Besides  the  body  it- 
self, through  protracted  confinement,  becomes  more  deli- 
cate and  sensitive  in  its  organs,  and  the  nerves  rested  and 
relieved,  return  to  their  ordinary  functions,  prepared  to 
experience  fresh  and  intenser  delights.  If  the  heart  of 
Edward  Ellingwood  had  not  been  oppressed,  his  system, 
with  advancing  health,  would  have  attuned  every  scene  to 
joy.  He  dreaded  the  hour  which  would  compel  a  conver- 
sation with  Anna  Austin,  whom  he  still  believed  was  Mrs. 
Major  Worstal.    * 

Passing  one  day  through  the  hall,  after  a  long  ride,  she 
stood  at  the  door  of  the  parlor  where  Jim  was  fanning 
him  as  he  reclined  on  the  sofa. 

"Good  morning,  General!  Excuse  my  absence  on 
some  necessary  matters,  and  let  me  congratulate  you  on 
your  improved  appearance." 

There  she  was  with  the  glow  of  the  morning  in  her 
cheek.  Her  eye  sparkled  beneath  her  graceful  hat,  with 
the  light  of  her  peculiar  beauty,  while  her  riding-habit 
added  to  the  charms  of  her  person. 

"  Thank  you,  madam,  for  your  kind  sympathies,"  re- 

187 


188  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

plied — or  rather  stammered — Edward  as  he  felt  the  crmv 
son  in  his  face. 

"  Madam,  madam  !"  she  repeated  with  a  mock  gravity, 
and  emphasis.  "  General  Ellingwood  must  certainly  dis-> 
cern  in  me  some  marks  of  premature  dignity,  or  possibly 
of  premature  decay.  Perhaps,"  she  added  elevating  her 
head,  and  with  a  quiver  of  scorn  on  her  lip,  and  in  her 
voice,  "  the  war  he  wages  against  the  daughters  of  the 
South  has  brought  the  wrinkles  to  their  faces,  and  the 
snow  into  their  hair." 

"  Madam,  pardon  whatever  fault  I  have  committed," 
cried  Ellingwood  utterly  overwhelmed  with  surprise  and 
confusion. 

"  Madam !"  resumed  Anna,  now  completely  indignant, 
and  retiring  with  a  stately  bow,  she  kept  saying  as  she 
passed  down  the  hall :  "  Madam,  indeed !  what  can  he 
mean  ?  are  we  changing  vocabularies  as  well  as  govern- 
ments ?  or  does  my  appearance  indicate  an  age  which  re- 
quires a  matronly  title  ?" 

One  glance  at  her  image  as  she  passed  a  mirror  as- 
sured her  that  youth  and  beauty  had  never  touched  her 
face  with  more  winning  charms,  and  she  was  left  in  a 
state  of  complete  bewilderment,  from  which  her  reflec- 
tions during  the  day  did  not  relieve  her. 

Ellingwood  himself  was  overcome  with  mingled  embar- 
rassment and  despair.  So  firmly  had  the  hateful  thought 
of  Anna's  marriage  to  "Worstal  become  imbedded  in  his 
mind  that  he  never  asked  a  question  even  of  Jim  in  re- 
gard to  the  repulsive  subject.  The  terrible  suffering  of 
his  delirium  had  been  chiefly  caused  by  the  belief  that 
such  purity  and  beauty  had  been  wrested  from  him,  and 
consigned  to  a  savage  like  the  abandoned  Major.  His  re- 
coil from  inquiry  was  therefore  entirely  natural. 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  189 

After  the  circumstances  narrated,  Miss  Austin  scarcely 
met  Ellingwood  even  in  the  presence  of  others,  and  al- 
ways with  an  evident  chill  in  her  manner. 

Thus,  while  frequently  together  during  brief  intervals, 
there  was  between  them  an  ever-widening  chasm. 

After  arising  one  morning  from  an  unusually  stiff  and 
awkward  breakfast,  where  they  once  more  were  alone, 
Ellingwood  stepped  for  a  moment  to  the  window,  and  ga- 
zing towards  the  ocean,  was  transported  with  the  prospect. 
In  the  exuberance  of  his  excited  pleasure,  he  exclaimed  : 

"  Mrs.  Worstal,  what  could  exceed  such  a  view  ?"  For 
a  moment  Anna  was  transfixed.  The  blood  rushed  like  a 
torrent  to  her  face,  and  then  she  was  struck  with  the  ab- 
surdity of  the  mistake.  Ripples  of  laughter  came  gushing 
from  her  lips,  and  her  face  beamed  with  fun. 

"  Madam !  Mrs.  Worstal !"  she  cried,  "  General  Elling- 
wood supposes  that  my  sudden  antiquity  of  appearance 
carries  with  it  the  supposition  of  marriage ;  or  else  he  be- 
lieves that  is  which  ought  to  be,  and  he,  therefore,  consigns 
me  in  wedlock  to  the  most  probable  person  he  imagines, 
who  happens  to  be  my  transcendent  cousin.  Surely,  I  must 
have  played  well  the  part  of  Mrs.  Hercules.  Know  then, 
sir,  that  I  am  still  Anna  Austin,  and  that  I  call  no  man 
master." 

It  is  difficult  to  tell,  whether  delight,  astonishment,  or 
confusion  preponderated  in  the  mind  of  Ellingwood.  He 
poured  forth  a  torrent  of  untimely  apologies,  and  Con- 
cluded the  whole  with  a  blunder  : 

"  From  what  I  myself  observed,"  he  said,  "  I  could  but 
infer  that  Miss  Austin  was  the  wife  of  Major  Worstal.''* 

"  What  you  observed,  sir !"  she  replied  with  a  flush  of 
anger,  while  indignation  flashed  from  her  eye,  and  curled 
on  her  lip,  and  thrilled  in  her  tone,  giving  her  beauty  a 


190  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

Btateliness  and  elevation  which  showed  a  woman's  fire  be- 
neath a  woman's  gentleness.  "What  yon  observed,  sir!" 
she  repeated  slowly,  "  and  under  what  title,  may  I  ask,  am 
I  to  be  observed  by  General  Edward  Ellingwood  ?  I  do 
not  choose  to  be  the  subject  of  his  scrutinies.  Surely,  it  is 
not  the  part  of  a  soldier  to  pry  into  the  conduct  of  ladies." 
These  words  brought  the  embarrassment  to  its  crisis. 

Ellingwood  saw  the  time  had  come  for  explanation. 
He  was  at  once  himself.  With  recovered  dignity,  he 
replied :  "  I  perceive  that  I  have  been  guilty  of  extreme 
folly.  I  was  standing  at  my  window  when  you  and  Major 
Worstal  passed,  arm-in-arm,  over  the  lawn.  I  was  ad- 
miring your  own  matchless  grace,  and  his  grand  propor- 
tions, without  conceiving  there  was  the  slightest  impro- 
priety in  my  conduct.  You  will  forgive  me  if  my  glance 
was  prolonged  by  my  interest  further  than  delicacy  per- 
mitted. But  as  I  gazed,  I  saw  your  earnest  conversation. 
I  saw  you  reclining  on  his  breast.  I  saw  you  supported 
in  his  arms.  Pardon  my  offence !  It  was  punished  by 
days  of  agony." 

The  last  sentence  went  to  the  heart  of  Anna.  It 
revealed  the  cause  of  all  the  delirious  anguish  she  had 
witnessed,  and  showed,  that  after  years  of  separation,  the 
conversation  on  the  college  lawn  had  not  been  misin- 
terpreted. She  was  gratified  to  know  that  a  cloud  over 
her  own  image  could  cause  so  much  darkness.  She 
quickly  exclaimed,  with  a  sense  of  relief  equal  to  that 
experienced  by  Edward  himself:  "  Mr.  Ellingwood,  under 
the  circumstances,  not  even  delicacy  could  criticise  your 
conduct.  All  is  forgiven  aud  forgotten.  When  you 
remember  that  Henry  Worstal  is  my  cousin,  and  was 
supporting  me  under  an  overwhelming  sorrow,  occasioned 
by  his  sudden  communication  of  my  dear  brother's  death, 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  191 

you  will  understand  my  relations  and  my  conduct.  Let 
us  thank  Heaven  that  an  explanation  has  been  made 
which  will  relieve  our  present  and  our  future  from  so 
much  suffering."  She  held  out  her  hand  while  she 
spoke. 

Edward  could  not  resist  the  impulse  to  stoop,  and 
imprint  on  it  a  kiss ;  nor  will  we  deem  him  unmanly  if 
his  eye  left  on  it  the  moisture  of  a  tear.  That  pressure 
of  his  lip  changed  the  course  of  his  life.  It  melted  away 
the  barriers  of -years.  It  thrilled  responsively  in  a  true 
woman's  heart,  on  which  his  image  had  been  ineffaceably 
inscribed  by  a  true  woman's  love. 

The  recovery  of  Ellingwood  was  now  rapid  and  com- 
plete. 

On  the  evening  of  the  very  next  day  he  proposed  a  sail 
on  the  ocean.  As  he  and  Anna  passed  along  the  shore 
there  was  stirring  the  softest  breeze  of  evening  just  suffi- 
cient to  ripple  the  water  into  waves,  and  wake  its  music 
on  the  beach.  They  soon  sat  down  together  behind  the 
white  sail  on  the  same  seat,  while  the  blue  sea  and  the 
blue  sky  enclosed  them  in  a  world  of  the  affections. 
From  its  urn  of  gold  the  star  of  love  shed  down  its  light 
of  beauty. 

Ellingwood,  turning  to  Anna,  said,  "I  need  scarcely 
ask  Miss  Austin  if  she  recollects  our  conversation  before 
parting,  after  the  scenes  of  the  commencement,  which,  read 
in  the  glare  of  war,  now  seem  prophecies." 

"  Never,"  she  replied,  "  can  those  memorable  days  be 
forgotten.  The  four  happy  persons,"  she  added,  with  a 
tear  and  a  heaving  bosom,  "  who  then  stood  together  be- 
neath yon  moon  will  never  meet  more  on  this  earth." 

While  speaking  she  pointed  to  a  circle  of  glory  just 
rising  in  cloudless  brilliance  from  the  ocean,  and  casting 


192  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

along  the  waves  from  its  bright  edge  to  their  boat  a 
dancing  breadth  of  radiance. 

"  My  lips  did  not  then  dare  express,"  resumed  Elling- 
wood,  "what  was  felt  in  my  heart.  Our  approaching 
separation  and  the  tokens  of  war  forbade  what  would 
otherwise  have  been  proper.  Possibly  even  now  political 
differences  may  rise  as  a  barrier  between  us." 

"I  have  always  esteemed,"  answered  Anna,  with  a 
blush  just  visible  in  the  moon,  "the  heart  of  woman  a  pro- 
vince never  to  be  disturbed  by  such  strifes.  If  not  cold 
like  yon  night-queen  it  should  be  equally  free  from  the 
tempests  which  sweep  over  the  hearts  of  men.  I  have 
never  yet  yielded  to  the  bitter  feelings  which,  Korth  and 
South,  sway  so  many  ladies  of  our  land." 

"It  is  enough,"  cried  Ellingwood  with  the  eagerness  of 
delight.  "  I  was  certain  I  could  not  have  been  mistaken. 
In  that  hour  I  considered  our  spirits  pledged  without 
words,  firmly,  and  forever." 

He  then  imprinted  a  kiss,  not  as  before  on  Anna's 
hand,  but  on  Anna's  lips.  Out  on  that  calm  ocean,  and 
beneath  that  pure  sky,  a  true  man  and  a  true  woman 
experienced  that  mysterious  commingling  of  being  by 
which  two  souls  remain  separate,  and  yet  become  one. 
All  nature  beneath,  around,  above  expressed  sympathetic 
approval.  The  waves  laughed  love.  The  breeze  breathed 
love.  The  stars  smiled  love.  The  angel  of  love  himself 
sprang  upward  to  make  his  record  of  hearts  never  to  be 
divided  by  the  trials  of  life,  the  gloom  of  death,  or  the 
years  of  eternity.  Such  a  love  alone  makes  happy  mar- 
riages, blissful  homes,  prosperous  nations.  Such  a  love, 
next  to  piety,  is  the  want  of  the  world.  "Until  our  age 
learns  to  reverence  the  affections,  divorce  will  continue  to 
lacerate  hearts,  rend  families,  disgrace  tribunals,  cloud 
the  country,  and  outrage  human  nature. 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  193 

Edward  and  Anna,  absorbed  in  each  other,  did  not 
notice  a  vessel  approaching  from  behind.  Suddenly  they 
heard  her  noise  upon  the  waters.  Turning  in  the  direc- 
tion of  the  sound,  they  perceived  her  vast,  dark,  gliding 
hulk,  and  on  the  sky,  the  black  smoke  which  rolled  in 
clouds  from  her  chimney.  When  she  came  near,  the 
beauty  of  her  figure  and  the  grace  of  her  motion  were 
inexpressible.  While  her  main-mast  was  passing  across 
the  moon,  Ellingwood  discerned  clearly  the  stars  of 
the  Kepublic  once  more  in  glory  over  his  head.  His  soul 
was  transported.  He  rose  in  an  ecstasy.  He  waved  his 
hat  wildly.  Forgetful  of  Anna,  he  repeated  with  a  thril- 
ling pathos  inspired  by  his  patriotic  emotions,  some 
lines  sent  him  by  a  friend  in  manuscript,  and  since  made 
public. 

Flag  of  Beauty  !  wide  dnd  high, 
Earth  saw  thee  given  to  the  sky 

In  Freedom's  night ; 
Then  through  revolution-fires 
Flashing  borne  by  patriot-sires 
"While  a  gazing  world  admires 

To  Freedom's  light. 

Flag  of  Freedom  !  where  a  spot 
Darkening  did  thy  beauty  blot, 

No  stain  we  see. 
Glad  to  God  our  song  we  raise; 
Nations  swell  the  voice  of  praise  ! 
Every  star  floats  in  the  blaze 

Of  Liberty. 

Flag  of  Promise  !  let  a  world 
Wide  thy  glories  view  unfurl'd 

O'er  land  and  sea  ! 
Float,  since   God  has   purged   thy  stains  j 
Float,  till  earth  has  burst  her  chains ; 
Float,  while  Heaven  bends  o'er  our  plains, 

Pure,  bright  and  free  ! 

17 


194  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

Flag  of  Glory !  let  no  more 
On  war-clouds  thine  eagle  soar 

"Where  death-fires  play ! 
Glow  soon  love  where  now  glares  ire ! 
Never  may  a  star  expire, 
Till  the  Heavens  in  final  fire 

Have  passed  away  ! 

"While  Ellingwood  stood  reciting  these  lines,  Anna  was 
so  impressed  with  the  nobility  of  his  appearance,  and  the 
ardor  of  his  sincerity,  that  she  was  herself  almost  carried 
away  by  the  enthusiasm  of  the  moment.  Where  the 
heart  of  woman  is  engaged,  her  head  is  easily  persuaded. 

After  the  excursion  was  over,  the  General  began  to  fear 
that  the  inspirations  of  his  patriotism  might  have  hurried 
him  beyond  the  limits  of  delicacy,  and  he  said  to  Miss 
Austin,  as  he  sat  with  her  by  the  window  in  the  parlor : 
"Pardon  me,  Anna,  if  the  sight  of  the  old  flag  made 
me  forget  not  even  myself,  but  you.  I  now  almost  smile 
at  my  own  frenzy,  and  quite  reproach  myself  for  not  con- 
sidering your  presence." 

"  Oh,  Edward,"  she  replied,  "  I  remember  that  you  are 
a  soldier  and  a  prisoner.  You  are  excusable  for  disre- 
garding a  little  rebel  like  myself,  when  you  saw  the  stars 
you  defend  before  your  eyes.  The  vessel  had  evidently 
some  unusual  motive  for  speed,  or  our  boat  would  have 
been  overhauled.  In  that  case  our  relations  would  pro- 
bably have  been  inverted,  and  I  then  been  the  captive, 
and  you  the  keeper.  I  fear  the  temptation  to  carry  me 
away  beneath  the  old  flag  would  have  been  irresistible." 

"  Ah,  Anna,"  answered  Edward,  with  a  gratified  coun- 
tenance, "  whether  north  or  south,  I  expect  no  more 
liberty.  When  a  woman  makes  a  slave,  she  never  looses 
his  chain.  And  now,  will  you  sing  for  me  some  lines, 
which  were  intended  to  express  the  spirit  of  our  national 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  195 

unity  ?  They  were  sent  me  for  correction  by  the  same 
friend  who  wrote  'Our  Flag.'  You  know  the  creative 
and  the  critical  talent  are  seldom  united,  so  that  while  he 
sings  I  am  expected  to  snarl.  Here,  look  at  the  verses, 
and  see  if  a  '  little  rebel/  as  you  call  yourself,  can  have 
the  courage,  or  the  magnanimity  to  sing  them." 

Anna  took  the  paper,  and  glancing  her  eye  rapidly  over 
it,  went  to  her  piano,  which  Edward  had  already  opened. 
A  single  touch  showed  her  mistress  of  the  instrument. 
Soon  her  graceful  fingers  were  flying,  as  if  inspired,  over 
the  white  keys.  As  she  played,  her  soul  kindled,  and  all 
the  power  and  pathos  of  her  voice  awaked  to  thrill  Elling- 
wood  with  love  and  admiration.  Far  across  the  lawn,  and 
even  over  the  sea,  floated  the  melody  as  she  sang : 

North,  South,  East,  West  unite 
Beneath  our  Flag  of  Light, 

Be  one,  he  true  ! 
Ours  is  the  furnace-blast; 
Ours  is  the  old-world-past  j 
Ours  is  to  melt,  recast, 

And  shape  the  new. 

Over  the  Orient  first 
The  star  of  Empire  hurst 

In  morning-ray ; 
It  soon  o'er  Europe  gleams  ; 
See !  o'er  our  West  it  beams — 
A  sun  of  glory  streams 

To  make  Earth's  day. 

Men  of  each  clime,  speech,  race, 
Under  our  Flag  find  place, 

And  Freedom's  rest ; 
Your  blood  with  ours  must  flow  , 
Your  life  with  ours  must  grow, 
Till  we  a  Manhood  show, 

Earth's  last  and  best. 


196  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

Let  States  and  sects  no  more 
Hurl  hate  from  shore  to  shore  ! 

Let  all  be  one  ! 
Here  smiles  the  hope  of  man  ; 
Here  Time's  last  act  began  ; 
Here  closes  God's  world-plan, 
And  sets  His  sun. 

It  sets,  to  burst  more  bright 
O'er  man,  a  son  of  light, 

Immortal  now. 
See  Earth,  from  fire  arise ! 
Her  beauty  death  defies, 
While  'neath  eternal  skies 

To  Christ  all  bow. 

Anna  arose  from  her  piano  in  the  utmost  agitation. 
She  seemed  pale  with  alarm.  Trembling,  she  exclaimed, 
with  excited  fear : 

"  Edward,  I  seem  to  have  sung  your  death-note.  I  am 
amazed  at  our  imprudence.  Those  words  may  not  only 
involve  you,  but  myself.  I  dreaded  lest  you  might  even 
be  overheard  reciting  the  stanzas  to  the  Flag,  and  am 
astonished  at  my  own  folly,  which  has  so  exposed  you  in 
this  parlor." 

Ellingwood  began  himself  to  be  frightened.  However, 
he  endeavored  to  quiet  Anna's  apprehensions,  and  said 
jocosely,  "  I  am  sure,  besides  ourselves,  there  are  only  ne- 
groes about  Sea-Side,  and  they  certainly  will  not  object  to 
the  sentiments  we  have  uttered.  I  promise  you  before 
long  something  on  a  more  tender  topic." 

They  then  parted  for  the  night.  Just  after  Miss  Austin 
retired,  a  tender,  manly,  thrilling  voice  was  heard  to  sing 
beneath  her  window : 

Open,  Love,  thy  lattice  wide  ! 

Let  the  moon-beam  pass  ! 
See  it  through  these  branches  glide ! 

See  it  on  the  grass  ! 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  197 

Open,  Love,  thy  lattice  now  ! 

Let  the  breeze  come  through  ! 
Let  it  play  around  thy  brow, 

And  thy  bosom  woo  ! 

Open,  Love,  thy  lattice  whilo 

I  gaze  up  on  thee ! 
Let  yon  star-beam  kiss  a  smile 

From  thy  lip  to  me  ! 

Love,  thy  lattice  wide,  wide  fling ! 

Be  like  yon  bright  sky; 
While  the  sea  is  murmuring 

It  bends  lovingly. 


17* 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 


A  BISHOP  FOILED. 


"  General  Ellixgwood,  I  am  rejoiced  to  see  your 
health  so  greatly  improved,"  said  Cleveland,  as  he  met 
Edward  one  evening  at  the  ocean-seat.  "  I  suppose,"  he 
continued,  smiling,  "  that  not  only  air  and  exercise,  but 
also  good  company  promote  your  restoration." 

"  Yes,"  said  Edward,  laughing,  and  unable  to  resist  the 
temptation,  "  you  know,  Bishop,  it  is  not  good  for  man  to 
be  alone."  Instantly  observing  and  regretting  the  con- 
fusion produced  by  his  words,  he  added  in  a  kind  tone, 
"  Certainly  nothing  could  be  more  favorable  to  an  invalid 
than  this  charming  spot.  To  me  the  sea  is  an  inspiration, 
and  what  can  exceed  that  expanse,  with  its  gleaming  sails, 
stretching  away  to  meet  the  sky,  and  mingle  with  its 
blue?" 

"  It  is  indeed  lovely,"  replied  the  Bishop,  "  scarcely 
surpassed  on  the  shores  of  the  Mediterranean.  I  am  de- 
lighted to  find  my  old  pupil  after  many  hardships 
and  perils  placed  in  a  situation  where  so  much  con- 
spires to  his  recovery  and  his  pleasure.  May  I  hope  that 
in  the  joy  of  the  fleeting  hour  he  is  not  forgetting  those 
deeper  questions  which  touch  our  mortal  state  ?" 

"  Nothing  like  war,"  returned  Ellingwood,  "  solemnizes 
a  thoughtful  mind ;  while  it  may  make  the  trifling  reck- 
less, on  those  who  reflect  the  effect  is  opposite.  I  have 
often  heard  eternity  in  a  cannon-roar." 

"  Have  you,  my  dear  sir,  permit  me  to  inquire,  ever 
198 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  199 

passed  from  the  general  claims  of  Christianity  to  the  par- 
ticular claims  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church?"  said 
Cleveland,  in  a  voice  musical  as  an  evening  silver-chime. 

Lookiug  steadily  into  the  face  of  Edward,  he  continued 
with  designed  deliberation,  so  as  to  note  the  effect  of  his 
words,  "  I  am  certain  you  have  heard  that  your  friend 
Charles  received  the  communion  at  my  hands." 

"  Yes,  Miss  Austin  gave  me  all  the  particulars  of  her 
brother's  death  and  burial;'  answered  Edward,  returning 
the  Bishop's  gaze,  and  emphasizing  the  words  all  and 
burial. 

"But,"  he  resumed,  remarking  a  blush  excited  by  this 
fact,  "perhaps  we  had  better  avoid  the  exciting  topics  you 
suggest." 

"  General  Ellingwood,"  replied  Cleveland,  tenderly  and 
impressively,  "I  am  about  departing  for  Europe  on  a 
perilous  voyage,  and  I  must  express  my  great  solicitude  in 
regard  to  your  ecclesiastical  relations." 

"  You  are  aware  how  fixed  are  my  opinions,"  said  El- 
lingwood. "  My  father  is  a  rigid  Congregationalist,  and 
from  him  I  have  inherited  an  enthusiasm  for  the  Protes- 
tant faith,  equal  to  the  Presbyterian  ardor  of  General 
Brompton,  while  from  my  mother,  I  derive  an  equal  rev- 
erence for  the  Order  and  Liturgy  of  her  ancestral  Church. 
Br.  Elton,  my  maternal  uncle,  has,  from  childhood,  di- 
rected my  theological,  as  my  father  directed  my  legal 
studies.  I  fear,  if  we  commence  an  argument,  I  may  be 
tempted  to  show  the  sharpness  of  the  lawyer,  and  the 
hardness  of  the  soldier." 

"I,  who  have  known  General  Ellingwood  from  his 
youth,  am  assured,  however,  that  he  can  say  nothing  in- 
consistent with  the  delicacy  of  a  gentleman,"  interposed 
Cleveland. 


200  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

"  As  I  am  certain,"  answered  Edward,  "  that,  although 
I  may  differ  in  opinion  from  m)r  former  President,  I  shall 
always  admire  his  talents,  and  respect  his  sincerity.  He 
will,  of  course,  pardon  me,  if  I  borrow  from  his  own  bril- 
liant lectures  to  maintain  the  principles  I  now  advocate." 

The  Bishop  felt  the  thrust,  but  concealed  its  pain.  He 
replied,  "  If  Heaven  has  poured  over  my  mind  a  sudden 
illumination,  it  is  not  strange  that  I  should  wish  to  guide 
a  beloved  pupil  to  the  light.  More  especially  am  I  anx- 
ious, since  pointing  your  dying  friend  to  the  Church,  and 
giving  him  spiritual  nourishment  from  her  bosom." 

"My  dear  Bishop,"  said  Ellingwood,  "my  clerical  uncle, 
hoping  to  secure  me  for  the  ministiy,  early  instructed  me 
in  the  Primitive  and  Anglican  Fathers.  Kothing  can 
shake  my  belief,  that  the  English  Reformation  restored 
the  Faith  and  Order  of  the  Apostolic  Church.  I  tell  you 
in  the  beginning,  that,  while  I  regard  the  Order,  I  rever- 
ence the  Faith,  and  that  my  sympathies  are  infinitely 
more  with  Protestantism,  which  has  repudiated  the  Order, 
than  with  Romanism,  which,  I  sincerely  think,  has  cor- 
rupted the  Faith.  Pardon  my  plainness,  and  let  me  say, 
that  we  had  better  avoid  argument." 

"  My  dear  Edward,"  replied  the  Bishop,  with  his  pecu- 
liar grace  of  manner,  "I  perceive  that  your  heart  and 
bead  are  fully  and  pleasantly  occupied  at  Sea-Side.  As  I 
will  not,  however,  have  another  opportunity  for  years,  we 
may  at  least  exchange  views." 

Ellingwood,  perceiving  the  contest  inevitable,  resolved 
with  the  tact  of  a  soldier,  to  assume  the  offensive. 

"  May  I  ask,"  he  inquired,  "  if  the  Roman  system  can 
be  constructed  simply  from  the  Scripture  and  the  Apos- 
tolic fathers  ?  " 

"  Certainly  not ! "  at  once  answered  the  Bishop. 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  201 

"Then  all  that  the  Council  of  Trent  added  to  the 
Council  of  Kice  depends  on  the  authority  of  the  Church?" 
pursued  the  General. 

"Indubitably!"  responded  the  Bishop. 

"And  the  infallibility  of  the  Church,  presumes  the  in- 
fallibility of  the  Head  ?"  continued  the  soldier-lawyer. 

"  That  necessary  consequence,  is  the  glory  of  Borne,  and 
will,  hereafter,  be  proclaimed  by  a  General  Council." 

"  Then  you  resolve  all  that  separates  Anglicanism  and 
Protestantism  from  Bomanisni  into  the  Papal  Infalli- 
bility?" 

"Unquestionably,"  returned  Cleveland,  "that  doctrine 
is  both  the  foundation  and  the  key-stone  of  the  eternal 
Arch." 

"  Allow  me  then,  to  urge,"  said  Ellingwood,  "  that  as  I 
must  employ  my  reason  before  I  accept  either  Scriptural 
infallibility  or  Papal  infallibility,  I  am,  in  any  case, 
thrown  on  my  individual  responsibility ;  and  that  I  prefer 
the  words  of  my  Lord  attested  by  supernatural  evidence, 
to  the  declarations  of  His  vicar  who  utters  no  prophecy 
and  performs  no  miracle  to  sustain  his  claim." 

"  General  Ellingwood,  we  will  defer  until  another  inter- 
view that  branch  of  the  subject,"  quickly  interrupted 
Cleveland,  surprised  and  embarrassed  by  the  force  and 
fluency  of  his  pupil. 

"  As  the  whole  question  between  us,  by  your  admission, 
turns  on  Papal  Infallibility,"  pressed  Edward,  "my  reason 
rejects  the  dogma,  because  it  would  place  the  sanction  of 
eternal  truth  on  heresy,  and  superstition,  and  crime,  and 
subject  the  world  to  the  sway  and  worship  of  a  mortal, 
who,  claiming  an  attribute  of  God,  exhibits  every  weak- 
ness of  man.  Ko  system  could,  with  me,  involve  diffi- 
culties so  monstrous.  If  hair-cloth  mortifies  the  flesh, 
human  infallibility  certainly  mortifies  the  spirit." 


202  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

Feeling  his  soul  kindle  with  his  theme,  and  fearing  his 
zeal  had  carried  him  too  far,  he  added,  with  a  most 
respectful  air  and  tone,  "  Excuse  me,  I  pray  you,  excuse 
me,  my  dear  Bishop,  if  I  have  assumed  the  theologian, 
and  spoken  with  a  boldness  made  improper,  both  by  my 
own  ignorance,  and  your  office." 

Cleveland  was  evidently  disappointed.  His  numerous 
converts  had  been  among  dreamy  girls  and  fashionable 
ladies. 

Charles  Austin  had  been  too  weak  to  offer  resistance, 
and  had  indeed  never  even  thought  of  accepting  his  con- 
clusions. In  Ellingwood  he  found  a  manly  intellect  he 
had  himself  furnished  with  arguments,  and  disciplined 
into  strength,  and  which,  to  much  of  the  learning  of  the 
divine,  united  the  vigor  of  the  soldier,  and  the  shrewdness 
of  the  lawyer.  He  was  himself  also  more  remarkable 
for  erudition  than  logic,  and  had  been  won  to  Rome 
rather  through  feeling  than  reason.  Now  conscious  of 
his  own  weakness,  and  his  adversary's  power,  he  declined 
the  contest  he  had  excited.  Nay!  truth  had  made  an 
impression  on  his  soul,  which  was  destined  to  shake  the 
very  foundations  of  his  life.  The  pupil  had  indeed  be- 
come the  teacher,  and  the  teacher  the  pupil. 

Seeing  Miss  Anna  Austin  approach,  he  was  greatly 
relieved,  and  taking  the  hands  of  Ellingwood  in  his  own, 
and  pressing  them  with  cordial  warmth,  he  said  blandly : 
"  Your  words  would  embark  us  on  an  ocean  more  stormy 
and  dangerous  than  that  I  soon  expect  to  cross.  When 
the  mariner  perceives  the  tempest,  he  steers  for  the 
harbor.  Let  us,  then,  for  the  present,  take  refuge  in  our 
mutual  friendship.  Perhaps  at  some  future  time  I  may 
write  to  you  fully,  and  answer  your  objections.  And 
there,"  he  said,  pointing  with  a  beaming  face,  "  before  the 
elements  can  marshal  for  battle,  comes  an  angel  to  smile 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  203 

away  our  clouds,  and  calm  our  tempests.  You,  I  am 
certain,  will  be  the  last  to  resist  the  magic  of  her 
presence." 

As  these  words  were  completed,  Anna  reached  the 
ocean-seat,  and  stood  before  the  gentlemen  in  the  brightest 
glow  of  her  loveliness. 

"  Good  evening,"  she  exclaimed,  while  a  western  cloud 
painted  the  rose  upon  her  cheek.  "  Good  evening,  gentle- 
men. I  hope  I  am  not  interrupting  important  discussions 
which  may  shape  the  future  of  our  country,  and  the 
world.  If  my  presence  will  prevent  the  progress  of  hu- 
manity I  will  withdraw  at  once.  I  perceive  in  the  so- 
lemnity of  your  faces,  the  gravity  of  your  topic." 

The  Bishop,  and  the  General  smiled.  "Nay,  Miss 
Austin,  Kay,"  began  the  former.  "  We  rather  welcome 
you  as  a  celestial  visitant  sent  down  in  that  evening- 
cloud  to  breathe  peace  into  two  hostile  warriors,  and  stop 
the  rising  clash  of  battle.  Had  you  come  later  bandages 
would  have  been  needed  for  our  wounds."  Thus  the 
presence  of  a  pure  woman  subdues  into  gentleness  the 
sterner  nature  of  man.  Distant  be  the  day  when  her  re- 
fining image  marred  by  an  unnatural  and  repulsive 
masculinity  shall  abandon  our  world  to  grossness,  and 
bestiality ! 

The  Bishop  now  took  occasion  to  part  with  Edward 
and  Anna,  and  they  were  soon  again  drinking  the  nectar 
which  distils,  but  during  one  brief  period  of  any  human 
history.  He  believed  that  his  work  at  Sea-Side,  and 
indeed  in  America,  was  for  the  present  completed.  A 
brilliant  reward  he  knew  was  awaiting  him  at  Kome. 
He  soon  embarked  for  Liverpool,  at  Savannah,  in  the 
confederate  steamer,  Britain.  As  he  stood  on  the  deck  in 
the  shadow  of  the  evening,  with  his  hands  folded  acros3 


204  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

his  breast,  the  sad  conviction  was  forced  on  his  soul  that 
he  was  bidding  adieu  forever  to  the  land  of  his  birth. 
He  gazed  through  the  gathering  gloom  on  the  fading 
shore  with  inexpressible  pain.  Night  soon  veiled  it  from 
his  view.  Raising  his  hand  to  his  face  he  felt  his  finger 
touched  by  an  unconscious  tear.  Looking  upward  to  a 
cloud  revealed  by  a  sudden  lightning-flash  his  Ernity 
seemed  smiling  through  its  illuminated  folds.  The  unsta- 
ble sea  below,  and  the  darkening  sky  above,  oft  gleaming 
in  momentary  glare,  gave  evidence  of  a  speedy  elemental 
war,  and  were  exact  emblems  of  his  own  disturbed  heart 
and  uncertain  future. 


/ 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 


AN  OCEAN  VICTORY. 


After  the  battle  of  Gettysburg  Mrs.  Cleveland  and 
Mary  Ellingwood  were  indefatigable  in  their  hospital 
labors.  Exhausted  by  fatigue  and  exposure  they  had 
come  to  Willow-Shade  for  recuperation,  and  were  medi- 
tating a  European  tour. 

As  they  were  sitting  on  the  piazza  discussing  plans,  the 
Judge  approached  in  that  bright,  gay  manner  which  sheds 
such  grace  and  beauty  over  age. 

"  Ah !  ladies,"  he  exclaimed,  holding  a  letter  in  his  right 
hand,  and  glancing  over  it  through  his  spectacles,  "this 
era  of  iron  is  realizing  the  fairy-tales  of  the  nursery.  Here 
is  news  to  make  your  hearts  flutter.  Edward  is  a  prisoner 
in  the  hands  of  a  giant." 

"  What  can  you  mean,  papa  f  cried  Mary,  in  alarm. 

"  I  mean  just  what  I  say,"  replied  the  Judge.  "  Your 
brother  was  captured  by  his  rival,  cousin  Hercules,  and  is 
now  on  his  parole  at  Sea-Side." 

"Sea-Side !"  exclaimed  the  ladies  in  a  breath,  with  lifted 
hands  and  wondering  faces. 

"  At  all  events,"  said  Mary,  "  he  will  have  an  angel  in 
his  prison  to  smile  on  him  in  his  chains — possibly  to  loose 
his  limbs  and  open  the  door." 

"I   have   heard,"    continued    Mrs.   Cleveland,    "that 

Major  Worstal  is  a  man  whose  passions  correspond  to  his 

bulk,  and  I  fear  he  will  regard  General  Ellingwood  with 

no  particular  favor.     Civil  war  and  private  hate  are  like 

18  205 


206  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

the  tiger  and  the  leopard  let  loose  on  the  same  victim. 
Can  we  leave  the  country  knowing  that  your  son  is  in 
such  hands  ?" 

"  My  dear  Madam,"  replied  the  Judge,  "  if  our  move- 
ments were  to  be  regulated  by  the  ebb  and  flow  of  war, 
they  would  resemble  an  oarless  and  sailless  skiff  on  the 
ocean-tide.  "We  can  never,  at  any  moment,  ascertain  or 
control  Edward's  situation.  Sword  and  bullet  are  re- 
morseless executioners.  Any  hour  may  telegraph  his  fate. 
"When  I  placed  my  son  on  the  nation's  altar,  I  sur- 
rendered him  without  reservation  to  that  Power  which 
can  shield  him,  whether  we  are  in  Europe  or  America. 
The  arrangements  of  our  voyage  have  been  already 
made." 

"  Made !  you  astonish  me,  papa !  You  forget  that  we 
ladies  need  some  time  for  preparations.  "We  thought  it 
doubtful  whether  you  would  expose  us  on  the  sea  to  the 
polite  visits  of  confederate  officers." 

"  The  expectation  of  such  gallant  attentions,"  answered 
the  Judge,  with  a  gay  laugh,  "  removes  the  necessity  of 
an  extensive  wardrobe,  and  therefore,  of  long  delay.  I 
believe  half  a  lady's  life  is  stitched  by  her  needle  into  lace 
and  ribbons." 

"And  yet,"  interposed  Mrs.  Cleveland,  "when  book  and 
pen  absorb  that  same  valuable  portion  of  our  feminine 
existence,  gentlemen  are  first  to  notice  our  diminished 
charms,  and  grumble  at  us,  as  blue  stockings,  or  mascu- 
linities." 

"  And  I  know,"  said  Mary,  raising  her  eye  archly  to 
her  father's  face,  "no  more  critical  glance,  than  that 
gleaming  beneath  the  sober  brow  of  a  certain  venerable 
New  England  Judge,  whose  neatness  always  suggests  a 
looking-glass." 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  207 

"A  truce,  a  truce,"  answered  the  old  gentleman,  with  a 
beseeching  tone  and  gesture.  "  I  would  rather  encounter  a 
Parrot  and  a  Rodman  than  the  batteries  now  opening  on 
me.  I  fly.  I  submit.  Your  prisoner,  ladies  !  only  let  me 
add  for  your  satisfaction,  if  the  Britain,  or  any  other  con- 
federate ship  captures  you  on  your  voyage,  it  will  be  by 
silencing  the  guns  of  the  America.  That  I  think  about 
as  difficult  as  to  stop  the  artillery  of  the  clouds.  I  have 
obtained  permission  of  the  government  to  sail  with  my 
nephew,  Captain  Dick  Ingraham.  So  much  for  the  privi- 
lege of  being  government  officials— you  nurses  and  I 
Judge."  The  ladies  laughed,  and  expressed  their  great 
satisfaction  with  the  arrangement. 

Now  follows  all  the  bustle  of  preparation.     However 
absurd  and  extravagant  to  incur  expense,  and  increase 
luggage,  by  American  purchases   for  a   European  tour, 
even  the  most  experienced  travelers  cannot  always  take 
the  next  train  for  New  York,  and  the  next  ship  for  Liver- 
pool.    Perhaps,  as  our  ladies  had  never  been  abroad,  they 
did  not  wisely  economize  time,   and  money,  and  labor. 
Certain  it  is,  that  for  the  next  few  days  the  coachman  and 
the  seamstress   were  in  constant  requisition  at  Willow- 
Shade.     Purchases  were  made.     Fashions   were   selected. 
Dresses  were  cut,  fitted,  discussed.     Trunks  were  procured, 
packed,  checked,  expressed.     Needle  and  tongue  and  the' 
last  "Bazar"  reigned  supreme.     Yet  beneath  the  confu- 
sion and  the  energy,  was  an  unexpressed  sorrow  weighing 
on  every  spirit,  caused  by  the  recollection  of  Edward  El° 
lingwood,  and  the  state  of  the  country.     When  all  humili- 
ating preliminaries— so  needful  for  the  transportation  of 
the  human  body,  and  such  painful  satires  on  the  difficul- 
ties of  our  mortal  locomotion— were  completed,  Willow- 
Shade  was  abandoned  to  silence  and  desolation,  under  the 


208  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

care  of  faithful  servants.  The  Judge  and  his  daughter, 
and  their  friend,  were  soon  whirled,  by  rail,  to  our  national 
metropolis,  and  rattled  over  its  streets  to  the  pier  of  the 
stately  America.  Entering  the  cabin,  our  party  received 
a  warm  welcome  from  Captain  Richard  Ingraham.  When 
gliding,  through  the  evening,  over  the  bay  to  the  ocean, 
they  admired  the  islands,  bathed  in  light,  reposing  on 
their  green  inverted  shadows,  and  the  graceful  outlines  of 
circling  shores,  with  their  smooth  slopes  and  bold  heights. 
There  was  a  glow  of  inspiration  in  the  prospect,  followed 
by  that  rush  of  the  emotions  awakened  in  those  about  to  be 
transferred,  for  the  first  time,  from  the  young  civilization 
of  America  to  the  old  civilization  of  Europe. 

On  the  fourth  day  of  the  voyage,  the  ladies  stood  on  the 
deck  of  the  swift  ship  conversing  with  the  Judge  and  the 
gallant  Captain. 

"  Dick,"  said  the  former  gentleman  familiarly  to  his 
nephew,  "  do  you  really  think  that  steam  is  so  great  an 
improvement  over  the  sail  ?" 

"Let  me  reply,  uncle,"  answered  Ingraham,  "by 
another  question.  "Would  you  go  back  from  the  rail-car 
to  the  stage-coach,  and  from  the  telegraph  to  the  mail- 
bag?" 

"Aye,  aye,  that  settles  all  paternal  objections,"  cried 
Mary,  clapping  her  hands  with  glee.  "A  Wall  street 
broker  would  not  be  more  restless  if  he  did  not  study  the 
market  by  steam  and  lightning,  than  my  own  dear  papa 
without  the  telegraphic  column  of  his  morning  paper 
rushed  in  three  hours  from  New  York  to  Willow-shade." 

"  I  grant  we  are  perverted  by  excessive  civilization," 
answered  the  Judge,  smiling  at  the  truthfulness  of  his 
daughter's  picture.  "I  admit,  too,  that  without  steam 
and  electricity  this  country  could  neither  subdue  rebellion 


THE    AMERICAN    CARDINAL.  209 

nor  preserve  its  existence.  I  concede  that  Stephenson  and 
Morse  are  as  much  our  saviours  as  Grant  and  Sherman. 
Yet  I  sigh  for  the  old  days  when  instead  of  that  puffing 
funnel,  and  yon  black-smoke  cloud,  the  silent  vessel  with 
her  stately  masts,  tall  and  tapering,  glided  gracefully  over 
the  sea." 

"  Sentiment !  uncle,  sentiment !"  cried  In^raham,  lau^h- 
ing.  Then  pointing  to  a  distant  speck  on  the  sky,  he 
added:  "If  that  should  prove  the  Britain,  you  may 
thank  Heaven  for  a  steam-screw,  and  a  Rodman." 

All  looked  intently  in  the  direction  indicated.  The 
Captain  lifted  his  glass  to  his  eye,  but  unable  to  make 
out  anything  clearly,  soon  lowered  it,  and  held  it  in  his 
hand. 

"Why,  Judge,"  began  Mrs.  Cleveland,  "I  did  not 
know  that  a  gentleman  of  your  age  so  preferred  the 
beautiful  to  the  practical.  You  will  be  wanting  back  the 
gods  of  Greece.  This  age  of  iron,  steam,  and  lightning, 
will  never  make  an  Agora,  a  Jupiter  Olympus,  or  a 
Parthenon." 

"  No,  no !  I  am  not  quite  prepared  to  restore  heathen- 
ism. But  I  must  say  I  would  rather  behold  ten  old 
wooden  ships,  with  their  old  stately  grace,  go  into  battle 
in  the  old  sailor-like  way,  than  to  see  two  steam-rams 
butting  each  other  like  the  horned  patriarchs  of  the  flock ; 
or  a  low  monitor  gliding  snakily  over  the  sea  like  the 
fabulous  serpent ;  or  even  a  dozen  such  ships  as  Dick's, 
driving  against  each  other  like  fire-fiends.  Imagine 
Kelson,  or  Perry,  fighting  under  that  smoke-stack,  or  in 
the  roar  of  battle,  stopping  their  ears  to  keep  out  the 
scream  of  a  villainous  steam-whistle.  Why,  nephew,  you 
have  taken  away  all  the  poetry  of  war.  Nothing  remains 
but  iron,  and  powder,  and  blood." 
18* 


210  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

"Well,  uncle,  before  many  hours  you  will  praise 
Heaven  for  the  iron  and  powder,  if  not  for  the  blood." 
Then  raising  his  glass,  and  gazing  intently,  while  all 
stood  around  in  silent  suspense,  he  added,  still  looking  : 
"  That  ship  is  the  Britain.  No  other  vessel  on  the  sea 
could  show  such  grace  and  speed." 

The  ladies  turned  pale  at  this  announcement,  and  even 
the  Judge  appeared  grave.  "Here,  Dick,"  said  the 
latter,  "let  me  have  your  glass.  I  have  been  used  to 
the  ocean  since  a  boy — indeed  I  served  two  years  as  a 
midshipman,  and  the  law  sharpens  a  man's  wit,  even  if 
the  bench  dulls  his  brain." 

Ingraham  gave  his  telescope  to  the  Judge,  who  ad- 
justed it  to  his  eye.  Lifting  it,  and  turning  it  towards 
the  enlarging  vessel,  he  looked  long,  and  eagerly.  Com- 
pleting his  observation,  he  turned  to  the  Captain,  saying : 
"  Dick,  you  are  mistaken.  Confess  that  an  old  lawyer, 
of  seventy,  has  better  eyes  than  a  sailor  of  forty.  Beg 
your  pardon,  I  forgot  you  were  a  bachelor.  That  is  the 
British  flag." 

These  last  words  made  fire  flash  from  the  glance  of  In- 
graham. He  was  no  longer  the  gallant,  but  the  com- 
mander. Snatching  the  glass  he  gazed  an  instant,  and 
then  burst  out : 

"  That  ship  is  the  Britain — built  by  British  capital — 
constructed  by  British  workmen — owned  by  British  sub- 
jects— launched  in  British  waters — manned  by  British 
seamen,  and  plundering  our  merchantmen  for  British 
pockets.  See  !  she  is  hauling  down  the  lion ;  up  goes  the 
confederate  flag  !  Judge !  ladies !  clear  the  decks !  Go 
below.  We  must  prepare  for  action !  The  America  shall 
never  run  away  from  the  Britain." 

"  God  bless  you  Dick,"  exclaimed  the  Judge,  hastily 
grasping  his  nephew's  hand. 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  211 

"  God  bless  you  !  God  bless  you  !"  ejaculated  the  ladies, 
somewhat  colorless  with  feminine  alarm,  as  under  the 
escort  of  Judge  Ellingwood,  they  passed  into  the  cabin  to 
go  below.  We  need  not  think  it  strange  if  the  party 
knelt  solemnly  in  prayer.  Indeed,  again  and  again  the 
calm  voice  of  the  brave  and  venerable  Judge  was  heard 
amid  the  thunders  of  battle,  beseeching  heaven  to  grant 
the  America  victory. 

Above  was  the  noise  of  hasty  preparation.  Then  came 
down  the  hurried  tramp  of  men.  Voices  of  command 
rang  over  the  waters.  As  the  wind  was  rising  rapidly, 
and  the  sea  already  rolling  heavily,  the  sails  were  furled. 
Captain  Ingraham  resolved  to  obtain,  if  possible,  a 
raking  fire  from  the  top  of  the  wave,  and  made  all  his 
arrangements  accordingly.  Nothing  could  exceed  the 
graceful  majesty  of  the  Britain  approaching  with  her 
masts  and  arms  on  the  sky,  and  leaving  behind  far  along 
the  deep,  a  trail  of  smoke  rising  in  clouds  from  the  ocean 
to  the  heavens.  Above  her  could  be  distinctly  seen  a 
confederate  flag  waving  its  defiance  against  the  stars 
floating  from  the  America.  Now  there  was  a  sudden 
flash  followed  by  a  lifting  smoke-wreath,  and  a  thunder- 
ing roar ;  and  then  a  gigantic  ball  came  crashing  across 
the  federal  ship,  tearing  away  her  bulwarks,  and  killing 
an  officer  and  wounding  seven  men.  The  groans  of  the 
dying  mingled  with  the  winds,  and  blood-spots  were  on 
the  deck.  Broadside  after  broadside  roared  and  blazed 
from  the  confederate,  carrying  down  fore-mast,  and  miz- 
zen-mast  of  her  foe,  and  on  every  hand  scattering  death. 

The  ship  of  Ingraham  was  noiseless  as  a  cloud.  Her 
purpose  now  became  evident,  and  speed  was  essential  to 
achieve  it.  Hence  the  furnaces  of  the  America  were 
blazing,  and  her  boilers  hissing,  while  unfortunately  for 


212  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

the  Britain  her  fires  had  been  neglected.  The  two  vessels 
now  dashed  over  the  sea  in  huge  eccentric  circles.  They 
rush ;  they  turn ;  they  gyrate.  It  becomes  the  whole 
effort  of-  the  America  to  obtain  a  broadside  against  her 
adversary  from  stem  to  stern,  and  the  whole  effort  of  the 
Britain  to  prevent  such  an  advantage.  Nothing  could 
exceed  the  sublimity  of  the  spectacle.  The  ships  ap- 
peared like  two  circling  sea-monsters  breathing  flames, 
and  instinct  with  life.  They  puffed ;  they  panted ;  they 
palpitated — each  propelled  and  animated  by  a  heart  of 
fire.  But  in  this  contest  the  steam  of  the  America  gave 
her  the  superiority.  While  her  foe  has  been  firing,  she 
has  not  discharged  a  shot.  Now  her  end  is  attained. 
She  is  to  windward.  She  is  on  the  crest  of  a  wave.  She 
has  the  Britain  lying  below  her  visible  from  rudder-head 
to  figure-head.  The  glance  of  Ingraham  interprets  the 
moment.  His  trumpet  rings — "  fire."  The  America  is 
in  a  blaze.  Thunders  burst  from  her  ports.  A  tempest 
of  balls  is  hurled  against  the  Britain,  raking  her  decks, 
crashing  into  her  engine,  shattering  her  boiler.  One  huge 
missive  passing  through  her  hatch  pierces  her  hull,  and 
lets  in  the  ocean.  A  shell  falls  into  her  magazine.  It 
bursts  as  the  vessel  goes  down  enveloped  in  smoke  and 
steam.  Flames  for  an  instant  reveal  her  outlines,  and 
glare  across  the  sea  and  flash  into  the  sky  until  the  waves 
and  the  clouds  seem  mountains  of  mingling  fire. 


CHAPTER  XXV, 


AGONY. 


"Splendidly  done,  Dick,  splendidly,"  said  Judge 
Ellingwood,  warmly  embracing  his  nephew  on  the  deck 
of  the  America.     "  Yesterday  made  you  an  Admiral." 

"  I  thank  Heaven  for  victory,"  replied  Ingraham. 
"  Such  an  hour  occurs  but  once  in  a  sailor's  lifetime.  But 
some  of  my  poor  fellows  have  paid  dearly  for  our 
triumph,"  and  tears  chased  each  other  down  the  bronze 
of  his  manly  cheek. 

"  Ah !  Mary  and  Mrs.  Cleveland  have  given  me  a  sad 
account  of  the  havoc.  They  say  the  mutilations  are 
fearful.  The  Britain  made  many  a  widow  and  orphan 
before  she  sank  down  in  the  sea.  These  stains  of  blood 
on  your  deck  tell  a  tale  of  death.     Is  your  ship  injured  ?" 

"Battered,  and  pounded,  and  bruised,"  answered 
Ingraham,  "  but  not  at  all  disabled." 

"  The  Spanish  ambassador  recently  remarked  to  me,  in 
the  White  House,  that  there  is  a  special  Providence  over 
children,  drunkards,  and  the  United  States.  Perhaps 
he  meant  satirically  that  we  were  young  and  intoxicated. 
But  certainly  the  peculiar  favor  has  been  extended  to  the 
America.  Have  you  heard  anything  more  from  the 
Britain?" 

"  Some  of  her  spars  and  masts,  and  rigging,  were  seen 
this  morning  on  the  waves,  and  a  lion,  with  the  head 
knocked  off,  floating  meekly  beneath  our  stars.  We 
knew  that  animal  was  her  figure-head.     The  Britain  is  on 

213 


214  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

the  bottom  of  the  Atlantic,  and  will  remain  there  until 
the  sea  gives  up  its  dead." 

"Did  none  of  her  officers  or  crew  escape?"  inquired 
the  Judge,  anxiously. 

"  Oh,  yes,  uncle,"  answered  the  Captain.  "  Just  before 
the  magazine  exploded,  a  yawl  pushed  off,  with  twenty 
men.  AVe  saw  it  pull  towards  us  in  the  light  of  the 
flames,  when  that  glare  and  thunder  burst  from  the  sea 
into  the  sky." 

While  this  conversation  was  occurring  on  the  deck, 
Mary  Ellingwood  and  Mrs.  Cleveland  were  sitting  to- 
gether in  the  cabin.  The  latter  seemed  fearfully  agitated. 
A  tempest  had  evidently  rushed  over  the  calm  of  her  life. 
Mary  said  to  her,  in  a  most  tender  and  earnest  tone :  "  It 
seems  impossible,  absolutely  impossible.  Surely  you  must 
have  been  mistaken.  Your  nerves  have  been  shocked  by 
the  battle,  and  made  your  imagination  sensitive  to  im- 
pressions." 

"  You  know,  Mary,"  replied  Mrs.  Cleveland,  witn  a  sad 
expression,  and  an  emphatic  shake  of  the  head,  "  I  am 
not  liable  to  practice  deceptions  on  myself.  Not  all  the 
artillery  of  earth  could  startle  my  soul  like  that  one 
glance  at  his  person.  A  wife  does  not  easily  mistake  her 
husband." 

"  Pardon  me,  my  dear  friend,  if  I  ask  the  particulars, 
that  I  may  judge  for  myself,"  interposed  Mary. 

"I  was  dressing  a  sailor's  shattered  arm  when  the 
terrific  explosion  occurred  which  sank  the  Britain. 
Looking  over  the  sea,  I  perceived  a  loaded  yawl  in  the 
brilliant  light.  Not  long  after,  it  reached  our  ship,  when 
I  was  attracted  by  the  plash  of  its  oars.  Then  your 
cousin  hailed  the  boat,  inquiring  the  number  and  names 
of  those  aboard.    Conceive  my  agitation,  as  I  heard  a 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  215 

familiar  voice  respond,  and  soon  after    repeat — Bishop 
Arthur  Cleveland." 

She  could  utter  no  more,  but  fell  back,  almost  lifeless, 
on  the  sofa.  Mary  hastily  suatched  a  glass,  and  sprinkled 
some  water  on  the  face  of  her  friend,  and  she  was  soon 
restored  to  consciousness.  Mrs.  Cleveland  then  resumed — 
"Suppressing  my  emotion,  I  retired  to  my  state-room, 
and  flung  myself  on  my  berth,  immediately  in  front  of 
the  cabin-lamp.  The  door  was  open,  and  not  long  after  a 
form  passed  I  recognized  instantly.  It  was  Mr.  Cleve- 
land." That  name  again  aroused  feelings  in  the  bosom 
of  the  wife  she  had  supposed  buried  forever. 

When  her  agitation  was  once  more  subdued,  Mary 
ventured  to  inquire :  "  Do  you  suppose  he  saw,  and  knew 
you?" 

"  I  am  certain  of  the  fact,"  said  Mrs.  Cleveland.  "  The 
light  shone  brightly  on  my  face.  As  he  passed,  he  turned 
through  the  door  a  casual  glance.  He  started,  threw  up 
his  hands,  stumbled  over  the  floor,  and  fell  heavily. 
Afterwards  I  heard  a  groan  from  his  state-room,  which 
will  haunt  my  ear  forever." 

The  recital  of  Mrs.  Cleveland  was  here  interrupted  by 
the  mournful  toll  of  a  bell,  whose  deep  voice  rang  far 
over  the  ocean.  The  ladies  knew  the  signal,  and  hastened 
above.  A  sad  spectacle  met  their  gaze.  On  the  deck 
were  the  bodies  of  ten  sailors,  ghastly,  and  mutilated,  lying 
side  by  side.  Their  wounds  were  concealed  as  much  as 
possible  beneath  their  shirts,  and  their  manly  faces  were 
composed  in  death.  Even  to  the  inevitable  neck-tie  they 
were  clothed  in  their  nautical  attire.  After  a  brief  service, 
solemnly  said  beneath  the  stars  of  the  flag  floating  gaily 
in  the  morning,  there  was  heard  plunge  after  plunge,  and 
soon  the  waters  settled  calmly  over  their  bodies  to  hide 


216  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

them  until  they  hear  the  trump  of  the  Judge.  Retiring 
from  the  scene,  both  ladies  sought  in  slumber,  relief  and 
rest  from  excitement  and  fatigue. 

That  Bishop  Cleveland  saw,  and  recognized  his  wife, 
will  be  evident  from  his  diary,  long  afterward  found  by 
Captain  Ingraham  in  a  crevice  of  his  state-room.  Al- 
though stained  with  tears,  and  showing  plain  proofs  of  a 
mind  fevered  by  suffering  into  insanity,  we  will  conclude 
our  chapter  with  an  extract  from  its  wild,  and  often  inco- 
herent pages : 

"  I  see  my  Emily.-  Heavens !  what  serene,  holy,  suf- 
fering beauty.  I  gaze  at  her,  while  I  write,  through  a 
crevice  of  my  state-room.  In  her  face — melancholy,  agony ! 
That  hand  I  have  clasped.  That  bosom  I  have  pressed. 
That  lip,  oh  how  often,  have  I  kissed  !  My  brain  whirls. 
Shall  I  rush  to  her?  Shall  I  fall  at  her  feet?  Shall  I 
beg  her  forgiveness  ?  Emily,  oh  my  Emily,  let  us  build 
again  our  home.  Kay!  too  late!  too  late!  too  late!  Gone 
that  bliss  forever!  Last  night  a  thin  board  was  between 
our  bodies.  I  heard  her  breathing.  I  felt  her  heart-beats. 
Our  child  !  My  Ada !  Is  she  cold  in  her  grave  ?  Her 
father  knows  not,  I  see  her !  There !  there !  there ! 
Her  blue  eyes !  Her  sunny  smile  !  It  burns  my  heart ! 
Her  little  fingers  are  in  my  hair.  Worms !  worms  !  they 
creep,  worms.  Her  breath  scorches  my  cheek !  Her  curls 
are  snakes — hissing,  twisting,  glaring.  Stop,  Ada,  stop ! 
I  am  your  father !  father !  ghost !  skeleton !  devil !  Nay ! 
I  am  Bishop— the  Right— Reverend — Arthur — Cleve- 
land !  A  mitre !  a  cardinal's  hat !  a  tiara !  St.  Peter's  ! 
The  Vatican!  An  American  Pope!  Infallible!  Sove- 
reign !    Adored !    God ! " 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

THE   SEIZURE. 

Major  Worstal  having  executed  the  commission 
which  took  him  from  Sea-Side,  was  returning  thither, 
through  Richmond.  He  resolved  to  obtain  from  the  con- 
federate  authorities,  a  revocation  of  the  order  that  had 
removed  Edward  Ellingwood  more  immediately  from  his 
power.  Indeed,  his  object  was  to  have  his  rival  conveyed 
to  the  prison  he  himself  commanded.  A  strong  Southern 
feeling,  occasioned  by  the  national  policy  in  arming  the 
negro,  greatly  assisted  his  plans.  General  Brompton  had 
used  all  his  influence  to  defeat  his  nephew's  vengeance, 
and  had  hitherto  succeeded.  He  now  perceived  that  the 
Richmond  Cabinet  was  wavering;  and  fearing  to  press 
Ellingwood's  cause  too  far,  he  resolved  to  employ  personal 
solicitation.  While  he  and  the  Major  were  sitting  in  the 
room  of  the  Capitol  Hotel,  he  said : 

"  Henry,  you  have  always  been  disposed  to  oblige  me, 
and  I  want  now  to  ask  a  particular  favor."  Worstal  red- 
dened to  the  forehead,  and  scowled  frightfully.  Anticipat- 
ing what  was  to  come,  he  replied,  abruptly,  and  almost 
rudely : 

"Uncle,  I  know  what  you  want.  You  are  trying  to 
keep  Ellingwood  at  Sea-Side,  and  have  used  every  means 
to  thwart  my  plans.  Now  you  would  persuade  me  to 
yield, — it  is  no  use — I'll  have  my  way." 

"But  you  forget,"  urged  the  General,  "that  your 
19  217 


218  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

prisoner  is  a  son  of  my  old  friend,  and  that  Charles  loved 
him  as  a  brother.     Besides  he  and  Anna  " — 

"  Don't  talk  to  me  about  Anna !"  cried  Worstal,  rising, 
and  blackening  with  rage.  Stamping  on  the  floor  until 
the  dust  flew  from  the  carpet  in  clouds,  and  danced  in  the 
morning  sun-beams,  he  exclaimed,  "  She  has  treated  me 
like  a  dog.  This  thieving  Yankee  has  stole  her  heart. 
Yet  you  uncle  would  have  him  stay  at  Sea-Side,  and  woo 
and  win  your  niece.  My  obligations  to  you  are  now 
gone.  You  have  turned  my  enemy.  Never,"  he  added 
with  a  frightful  oath,  "  shall  you  change  my  purpose." 

General  Brompton  was  surprised  and  indignant  at  the 
brutal  violence  of  his  nephew.  He  too  arose,  and,  con- 
fronting him,  looked  steadily  into  his  face.  Placing  his 
hand  on  his  shoulder  he  said  in  a  deep,  low,  firm  voice, 
"  Henry,  beware !  I  read  your  heart.  You  wish  General 
Ellingwood  in  your  prison  to  take  his  life,  and  gratify 
your  vengeance.  You  may  obtain  your  order,  but  his 
blood  I  require  at  your  hand." 

Conscience-smitten  Worstal  cowered,  and  trembled 
before  his  uncle's  burning  gaze.  Recovering  instantly  hi3 
effrontery  he  returned  glance  for  glance,  and  said  de- 
fiantly, and  fiendishly,  "  And  you  have  a  care  General 
Brompton !  Too  great  an  interest  in  a  Yankee  officer  may 
cost  you  your  position,  and  bring  a  mob  down  on  Sea- 
Side."     Then  turning  away  abruptly  he  left  the  room. 

General  Brompton  was  startled  and  alarmed  at  his 
nephew's  threat  and  tone,  and  saw  that  he  must  abandon 
Ellingwood  to  his  fate. 

Worstal  in  a  few  hours  had  the  coveted  order  in  his 
pocket.  Again  and  again  he  took  it  out,  and  unfolded  it, 
and  read  it  with  demoniacal  joy,  and  replaced  it  with  the 
glad    consciousness   he   had    achieved   a  victory  which 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  219 

placed  his  hated  rival  wholly  in  his  power.  He  at  once 
took  the  train  for  Sea-Side.  The  fiery  speed  of  the  cars 
increased  the  flame  in  his  breast.  He  felt  towards  Elling- 
wood  as  Satan  had  long  before  towards  Adam,  when  he 
leered  on  him  in  the  midst  of  Paradise,  and  resolved  to 
turn  his  heaven  into  hell. 

Nothing  in  the  meantime  could  surpass  the  pure  and 
intense  joys  of  Edward  and  Anna.  The  former  had 
greatly  reproached  himself  for  his  imprudence.  Even  in 
his  sleep  the  words  Miss  Austin  had  sung  came  floating  on 
his  soul  until  he  waked  in  alarm.  Visions  of  captivity 
crowded  on  his  fears.  He  once  dreamed  of  a  dark  prison, 
a  manacled  captive,  and  an  angel  entering  with  a  smile  to 
unloose  his  fetters.  Still  on  the  next  day  was  a  renewal 
of  the  spell.  The  young  soldier  was  suddenly  transported 
from  the  rude  and  bloody  scenes  of  war  to  the  uninter- 
rupted society  of  her  whose  image  had  lived  in  his  heart 
for  long  separating  years.  Anna  and  Edward  walked, 
and  talked,  and  rode,  and  sailed,  and  sang,  and  lost  them- 
selves in  each  other  with  all  the  cloudless  raptures  of  a 
true  love.  Even  Nature  smiled  on  them  sympathetically. 
The  bloom  -of  the  orange  shed  down  its  fragrance. 
Around,  and  beneath,  and  above  them  waved  and  flashed 
brilliant  southern  flowers.  The  dreamy  languor  of  the  air 
dissolved  them  into  greater  tenderness.  Earth,  sea,  sky 
were  uniting  to  complete  their  bliss.  But  no  spot  had 
such  a  charm  as  the  ocean-seat.  Reclining  there  one 
evening,  Edward  said, 

"  I  have  been  laughing,  Anna,  at  my  absurd  mistake  in 
supposing  you  Mrs.  Major  Worstal.  What  a  fool  I  was ! 
I  could  more  readily  believe  Diana  would  marry  Vulcan. 
My  idiocy  cost  me  dear.  Pardon  me  if,  after  all  I  suf- 
fered, I  have  no  particular  love  for  your  mighty  cousin." 


220  THE    AMERICAN    CARDINAL. 

"  I  can  assure  you,  Edward,"  replied  Anna,  smiling, 
"  he  has  not  the  highest  affection  for  you.  I  shudder 
■when  I  think  of  you  in  his  power." 

"Sometimes  I  have  an  awful  fear,"  responded  Edward, 
"  that  he  will  come  a  shadow  between  our  lives.  Here  we 
are,  side  by  side,  and  heart  to  heart,  and  yet  a  whole  war- 
history  is  to  be  written  before  you  can  be  my  wife." 

"  Stop,  Edward,  stop,"  she  cried,  with  a  ringing  laugh, 
"  no  clouds  over  Eden !  Let  us  now  pluck  flowers  in  our 
sunlight — thorns  and  gloom  will  come  of  themselves,  and 
soon  enough." 

"  Anna,  your  words  are  like  a  morning  when  the  birds 
sing,"  he  replied,  taking  her  hand,  and  turning  on  her  a 
face  full  of  manly  love.  "  Now  let  me  paint  you  a  pic- 
ture. The  war  is  over.  Peace  smiles  over  the  country. 
A  vessel  comes  into  yon  harbor.  A  happy  company  pass 
over  the  beach,  and  cross  the  lawn,  and  enter  the  house. 
When  night  approaches  lamps  flash  and  blaze  from  tree 
and  window.  Merry  voices  are  heard.  Before  the  altar 
of  that  Church  stands  a  happy  pair.  The  service  is  over 
and  then  come  kisses,  congratulations,  presents,  music, 
dancing — shall  I  finish  my  sketch,  Anna  ?" 

"  No,  Edward,  no,"  she  answered.  The  deep  tranquility 
of  love,  breathing  from  her  heart  to  her  face,  was  con- 
verted into  the  most  violent  alarm,  as  she  cried,  pointing 
to  a  wood  immediately  in  their  rear :  "  There  come,  I  fear, 
messengers  of  danger." 

Looking  in  the  direction  indicated  by  her  delicate 
finger,  we  perceive  two  men  emerging  from  the  trees,  and 
running  over  the  field.  Jumbo  and  Jim  are  in  eager 
haste.  The  father  held  in  his  hand  a  fragmentary  hat> 
crumpled  out  of  all  shape,  by  his  agitated  fingers,  while 
the  son,  in  his  rush,  had  torn  a  pantaloon,  whose  tatters 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  221 

streamed  shabbily  in  the  winds.  On  Jumbo's  smooth 
shining  head,  dotted  over  with  clumps  of  white  wool, 
stood  big  sweat-drops,  which  rolled  down  his  cheeks,  and 
scattered  as  he  ran  along  the  grass.  Being  somewhat 
rotund  in  body  and  stiff  in  limb,  his  efforts  at  haste  made 
him  resemble  a  fat,  unwieldy,  antiquated  ox,  driven  to 
provoking  haste  by  pelting  boy,  or  barking  cur,  and 
not  specially  graceful  in  its  movements.  Jim  followed 
close  behind,  looking  very  much  like  a  black,  fleshy,  farm 
colt,  fitted  for  the  cart  or  plough,  but  forced  into  the 
awkward  violence  of  the  race.  The  son  was  evidently 
gaining  on  the  sire,  whose  paternal  dignity,  with  panting 
chest,  and  puffing  lips,  interposed  to  check  the  disrespect- 
ful speed. 

"  Dar,  young  nigga,  dar,"  he  cried,  in  a  tone  of  fatherly 
command,  "  stop  you'se  shins  !  you'se  bess  keep  'zactly  in 
dat  place  which  suit  the  gosslin  who  always  hab  de  man- 
ners to  run  behin'  de  goose. " 

"De  goose!  de  goose!"  replied  Jim,  with  all  the 
chuckle  his  breathlessness  permitted. 

"  Dat  am  de  truf.  But  'spose  de  waddlin'  goose  hab 
big  fat  and  short  leg,  and  de  gosslin'  am  in  hurry  ?" 

"  Nebber,  Jim,  nebber,"  panted  Jumbo,  holding  out  his 
arm  before  his  advancing  offspring,  and  turning  his  black 
palm  with  a  restraining  push,  "  forget  de  respec'  due  de 
venerashun  of  dat  bein'  who  brot  you  on  dis  yer  yearth. 
Your  fadda  will  tell  de  news  to  dat  angel  ob  light  and  ob 
lub."  Jim,  not  entirely  heeding  the  admonition,  Jumbo 
continued,  "De  Scripta  say,  'git  up  before  de  hoary 
head.", 

At  this  point,  the  son  tumbling,  fell  at  the  feet  of  his 
dignified  progenitor,  and  the  father,  with  all  his  hurry, 
19* 


222  THE    AMERICAN    CARDINAL. 

could  not  resist  the  temptation  for  one  word  of  parental 
reproof. 

"  Dar,"  he  exclaimed,  with  evident  satisfaction,  as  Jim 
arose,  rubbing  his  bruised  shins,  "  Dat  be  judgmen'  ob 
Hebben  on  you  for  forgettin'  de  comman'." 

Just  at  this  moment,  however,  Jumbo  himself  struck  his 
great  foot  against  a  stone,  and,  like  many  others,  falsified 
his  unauthorized  application  of  Scriptural  inflictions. 

"  Yes,"  cried  Jim,  stopping  and  laughing  from  ear  to 
ear,  "judgmen'  ob  Hebben  not  from  fadda  to  son,  but 
from  son  to  fadda." 

The  fallen  patriarch  rising  slowly,  and  scratching  hi3 
thin  wool,  with  a  bewildered  look,  started  forward,  side  by 
side,  with  his  sole  male  heir  and  representative,  saying, 
while  he  ran  : 

"  I'se  tell  you,  Jim,  de  truf  of  de  'terpretation  ob  de 
word  can  nebber  get  unda  a  young  nigga's  wool,  till  it 
'spand  to  greater  comprehenshun  cb  de  ideas." 

By  this  time  the  black  pair  had  approached  the  ocean- 
seat.  Jumbo  was  in  advance,  still  clutching  in  his  hand 
the  injured  hat,  while  Jim,  instructed  by  the  rebukes  he 
had  just  received,  followed  behind  at  a  reverential  distance. 
Both  drew  near,  bowing  and  scraping  in  their  African 
way,  and  equally  conspicuous  for  the  African  heel,  and 
the  African  lip. 

Miss  Austin,  who  had  observed  their  curious  progress 
over  the  field,  and  imagined  what  transpired,  smiled  in 
spite  of  her  alarm.  She  exclaimed  hastily,  "Jumbo, 
you  seem  to  be  the  bearer  of  important  news.  Tell  me  at 
once !" 

The  voice  of  his  mistress  made  the  faithful  creature 
forgetful  of  himself,  and  recalled  all  his  fears.  He  re- 
plied   with    trembling    eagerness,  "Missus   Anna,  we'se 


THE    AMERICAN    CARDINAL.  223 

'fraid  de  Ginral's  in  danga  ob  de  prisim,  and  dat  dar  not 
nice  as  de  Sea-Side." 

"What  is  your  reason  for  thinking  this?"  asked  Anna, 
now  fearfully  anxious. 

"  Mysel,  and  dat  dar  young  nigga  war  pickin  berries 
in  de  wood,  and  Massa  Wossal,  he  pass  'long  wid  six 
sodgas,  and  he  not  see  us,  and  he  ride  a  cursin',  and 
a  swearin',  and  a  sayin'  he  had  odas  to  take  de  Gin'ral  to 
de  prisun,  and  he  sware  he  see  how,  how  " — here  Jumbo 
hesitated. 

"  Speak,  speak,  quickly,"  said  Anna. 

"  Shall  Jumbo  tell  'zackly  what  de  Maja  say  ?" 

"  Exactly,"  answered  Anna  emphatically,  and  hastily. 

"  De  berry  words  ?"  answered  Jumbo  looking  inquir- 
ingly into  the  face  of  Ellingwood)  who  cried  in  a  loud 
and  decided  tone, 

"  The  very  words  !" 

"  Well,"  resumed  Jumbo,  "  he  say, — he  say — he  say, 
he  see, — he  see — he  see  how  de  Yank  ofica  cum'  Souf  to 
— to — to  be  a  courtin',  and  a  marryin'  and  a  carryin'  'way 
de  Soudern  gals." 

Edward,  and  Anna  colored,  and  smiled.  The  latter 
then  said  sadly,  "I  fear  it  is  too  true.  My  uncle  has 
written  to  me  informing  me  that  Henry  has  employed 
every  possible  means  to  thwart  his  efforts,  and  to  have 
your  parole  revoked  by  an  order  for  your  removal  from 
Sea-Side,  and  confinement  in  the  prison  he  commands. 
He  has  undoubtedly  succeeded.  We  must  prepare  for 
the  worst,  and  trust  in  Heaven." 

Here  Jim  showed  a  manifest  desire  to  interpose  his 
advice.  Rolling  his  eyes  first  towards  his  parent,  and 
then  towards  General  Ellingwood,  running  his  finger 
through  his  wool,  and  shifting  from  foot  to  foot,  he  at  last 


224  THE    AMERICAN    CARDINAL. 

ventured  to  say.  "  May'se  Jim  'spress  his  'pinion  afore 
de  Gin'ral  and  de  Missus  V 

"  Certainly,  certainly,"  answered  Edward. 

"  Is'e  then  'spectfully  say,  dat  Massa  Brompton's  Tiga 
stan'  in  de  stall,  jist  rubbed  and  saddled.  He  beat  Massa 
Henra's  mar  as  de  lightnin'  beat  de  wind." 

"No,  no,  Jim,"  replied  Ellingwood,  "I  am  on  my 
parole,  and  if  my  imprisonment  means  death,  my  honor 
cannot  be  violated.  Besides,  there  come  the  Major  and 
his  troop." 

Anna,  overcome  by  these  words,  fell  into  the  arm  of 
Edward,  who,  supporting  her,  brushed  away  her  tears, 
and  snatched  from  her  lips  a  rightful  farewell.  Just  at 
this  moment  Worstal  and  his  band  appeared. 

He  saw  his  cousin  in  the  arms  of  his  rival,  in  the  very 
place  he  had  been  himself  rejected.  It  is  not  wonderful 
such  a  spectacle  should  wake  the  tiger  in  his  heart. 
Spurring  Minerva  he  galloped  towards  the  ocean-seat  fol- 
lowed by  his  troop.  The  clang  of  hoofs  aroused  Anna  to 
a  consciousness  of  her  position  and  her  peril.  She  read  at 
once  the  demon  in  the  eye  of  "Worstal,  who  had,  during 
his  journey,  been  revolving  the  reports  he  had  heard  from 
Sea-Side.  Before  his  eyes  he  had  demonstration  of  their 
truth.  Here  was  a  man — a  union  officer — a  Yankee  in- 
vader— his  prisoner — introduced  by  himself  into  the  house 
of  his  uncle — whom  he  had  just  seen  unclasp  his  arms 
from  the  person  of  the  girl  he  had  loved  in  boyhood, 
and  always  expected  to  make  his  wife. 

He  was  too  much  infuriated  for  words.  Black  and 
silent  as  a  cloud,  he  rode  to  the  place  where  Edward  and 
Anna  were  now  standing.  He  pointed  to  two  of  his  men, 
and  then  to  the  General.  He  remained  on  Minerva 
while  the  soldiers  hand-cuffed  Ellingwood,  and  lifted  him 


THE    AMERICAN    CARDINAL.  225 

on  his  horse.  While  the  troop  were  riding  away,  with 
Edward  in  their  midst,  the  Major  lingered  behind,  near 
his  cousin.  She  came,  and  standing  near  Minerva,  looked 
up  into  his  face  with  an  agony  of  entreaty.  "  Henry, 
cousin  Henry,"  she  exclaimed,  clasping  her  arms  over 
her  swelling  bosom,  "  Show  the  kindness  and  generosity 
which  marked  your  boyhood  when  we  played  as  children 
around  this  very  seat !" 

"  Kindness !"  he  replied,  with  the  mock  and  taunt  of  a 
fiend.  "Generosity!  Anna  Austin,  Cousin  Anna  Austin, 
who  jilted  him  at  Magnolia  Hall,  and  twice  refused  him 
on  this  spot,  begs  favor  of  Henry  Worstal  towards  a 
Yankee  officer,  who  has  just  removed  from  her  person  his 
loving  arms — an  infernal  General,  who  has  come  to  free 
our  slaves,  to  burn  our  homes,  to  pillage  our  plantations, 
to  kill  our  people !  Rather  shoot,  or  hang  the  villain 
like  a  dog."  Then  taking  his  order  from  his  pocket,  he 
shook  it  over  Anna's  head. 

"Here,  look  here,  dear  cousin!  Here  is  proof  I 
triumphed  over  hind,  generous,  Uncle  Brompton,  who 
would  have  saved  Ellingwood  to  marry  his  niece.  Here 
is  proof  I  will  be  avenged."  Then  striking  his  spurs  in 
Minerva,  she  leaped  forward  with  frantic  power,  and 
occasionally  waving  the  fatal  paper,  and  looking  back 
with  the  leer  of  Satan  on  his  cousin,  he  galloped  out  of 
view. 


CHAPTER   XXVII, 


THE   STRATAGEM. 


Ajteta  Austin  required  for  the  development  of  her 
latent  power  the  very  trial  to  which  she  was  now  exposed. 
Heretofore  she  had  resembled  the  rose  blooming  in  the 
window,  and  shielded  from  sun-blaze  and  tempest.  Now, 
disciplined  into  solitary  strength,  she  would  prove  a  plant 
loving  indeed  watchful  attentions,  yet  capable  of  indepen- 
dent growth  and  endurance.  Losing  none  of  that  aroma 
which  is  the  charm  of  her  sex,  her  noble  womanhood  will 
develop  into  sympathetic  congeniality  with  a  manly  nature 
trained  to  sturdiness  by  early  lessons  at  home,  and  stern 
struggles  in  war. 

Anna  had  slept  many  hours  profoundly,  overcome  by 
her  fatigue,  when  she  was  awakened  by  a  gentle  rap  upon 
her  door. 

Having  waited  her  response  a  negro  maid  said,  "  Missus 
Anna,  Jumbo  and  Jim  is  here." 

She  replied,  "  Tell  them  to  come  into  the  parlor  in  ten 
minutes." 

She  arose,  made  a  hasty  toilet,  knelt  an  instant  in  devo- 
tion, and  hurrying  down  stairs,  and  entering  the  appointed 
apartment,  seated  herself  on  the  sofa. 

Jumbo  and  Jim  soon  after  presented  themselves,  bow- 
ing respectfully,  and  looking  affectionately,  yet  evidently 
jaded  by  a  long  ride,  and  loss  of  sleep. 

Turning  to  them  with  the  utmost  anxiety,  their  mistress 

226 


THE    AMERICAN    CARDINAL.  227 

exclaimed,  "  Quick,  quick,  tell  me  what  lias  happened ! 
Jumbo  begin !" 

The  old  negro,  hitching  his  shoulder  and  shaking  his 
head,  obeyed. 

"  Missus  Anna,  we  saddle  de  bosses  as  you  auda.  Is'e 
mounts  Tiga  and  Jim  mounts  Nell,  and  wes'e  fly  like  de 
clouds.  Soon  wes'e  cotch  de  soun'  of  hoss-hoofs,  and  wes'e 
sees  de  Maja's  sodga's,  and  de  Gineral  tied  in  de  middle, 
and  his  mar  led  by  de  bridle.  De  Maja  once  stop  and 
look  ahind  as  if  he  cotch  de  nois'  ob  de  hosses,  but  wes'e 
keeps  out  ob  his  sight.  Den  he  succeed  for' ad,  and  we 
follows  ahead,  till  dey  come  'bout  a  mile  from  de  prison. 
We  stops  and  hitches  in  de  wood,  and  crawls  wid  de 
greatest  cumspecshun  tow'ad  dat  sweet-smellin'  place." 
Here  Jumbo's  black  nostril  gave  a  significant  twitch 
with  a  corresponding  upward  roll  of  his  eye-whites  and 
expression  of  his  countenance.  He  then  proceeded,  "  Dey 
tuk  de  Gineral  to  de  Maja's  quata's  near  de  gate,  and  we 
stay  dar  lyin'  in  de  berry-bushes  for  obs'rvashun.  Now, 
please,  Missus,  let  dis  yer  Jim  finish  dis  'arashun." 

"  You  have  done  well,  and  shall  have  your  reward," 
answered  Anna,  with  a  sweet  look  of  approval. 

"Our  reward,"  responded  Jumbo,  "am  to  serb  de  Laud, 
rescue  de  Gineral,  dispint  de  debbil,  and  show  dat  hell 
can't  get  de  betta  ob  hebben." 

"Now  Jim,"  resumed  Anna,  smiling  at  this  pious  phil- 
osophy, "  tell  me  what  you  have  seen  and  heard." 

"  'S'not  to  be  s'posed,"  said  Jim,  turning  with  a  dubious 
glance  of  mingled  respect  and  satire  toward  his  father, 
"  dat  de  gosslin  will  hab  de  gab  of  de  goose,  but  I'se  say 
what  I'se  know  from  de  'pearance  ob  de  spy.  I'se  creep 
near  de  prisun,  and  I'se  lay  a  crouchin',  and  a  lookin',  and 
I'se  see  Fadda  John  and  de  Maja,  and  de  Dr.  Og'a  comin', 


228  THE    AMERICAN    CARDINAL. 

and  I'se  shake  like  de  swamp  aggers ;  de  Maja's  say,  wes'e 
kill  de  cussed  Yank'.  '  No,  No  !'  say  de  Preese,  '  spar 
kim  life  for  Missa  Anna  sake/  De  Oga'  grin,  and  look 
kill,  but  lie  say  nuffin.  Den  de  Maja'  swar  and  he  rave, 
'till  dis  nigga's  years  shake  like  de  leabs  ob  de  'nolia 
in  de  sea-winds.  Soon  dey  go  'way,  de  Maja  cussin  ebbrey 
step." 

"  My  Missus,"  here  interrupted  Jumbo,  with  a  look  of 
paternal  condescension,  and  approval  towards  his  hojDeful 
son,  "  see  dat  dis  young  nigga  hab  learn'  by  'sperience,  de 
way  to  'municate  idees.  Pleas  let  him  disprove  hiself,  by 
tellin  de  rest  ob  de  circumstans'." 

"  Go  on,  Jim,  go  on ! "  replied  Anna,  with  a  slight 
degree  of  impatience,  yet,  well  knowing  that  the  only  way 
to  obtain  the  facts,  was  to  let  her  faithful  negroes  have 
their  own  method  of  narration. 

"  As  we  crawl  from  de  place,  a  man  cum  creepin  in  de 
shadder  ob  de  trees,  made  by  de  risin'  moon.  We'se  sca'd, 
and  tremlin  'till  he  say :  *  Whist !  I'se  know  you  niggas, 
I'se  tot  I'se  heerd  de  nois.'  'Ha!'  hes'e  say,  'Jim,  I'se 
know'd  you'd  be  hur.'  Den  de  light  ob  de  moon  fell 
on  him  face,  and  I'se  see  de  spy  dat  cum  in  Massa 
Chal's  camp  on  de  bank  ob  de  'Tomac.  Wuns  he  war  a 
nigga,  wuns  he  war  a  Dutchman,  wuns  he  war  a  Chinay- 
man,  wuns  he  war  a  woman-nuss,  and  he  couldn't  be 
drowned,  nor  hung,  nor  shot.  Says  he,  'They's'egwineto 
starb  de  unyon  ofiea,  I  am  actin'  nuss  in  de  quatas  ob  de 
Maja,  and  de  Docta  and  de  Preese.  You'se  nigga  dig  tun- 
nel in  dis  yer'  groun'  unda  de  room  ob  de  Ginral,  and 
under  de  room  ob  de  Maja.  Make  hole  trough  de  floor 
and  bring  de  grub,  and  I'se  sabe  his  life,  and  hes'e 
'scape  when  hes'e  can.  Wes'e  spoil  deyr  cussid  plans.'  Den 
he  turn  'bout  and  creep  back,  and  we'se  crawl  to  de 
hosses,  and  ride  like  de  furies  to  disport  dese  proceedings 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  229 

to  our  Missus."  Anna  became  pale  during  this  recital. 
She  saw  clearly,  the  peril  of  Edward  Ellingwood.  Per- 
ceiving the  necessity  of  cultivating  a  perfect  control  over 
her  feelings,  that  she  might  successfully  use  her  faculties 
for  the  work  before  her,  she  said  calmly : 

"  You  have  both  nobly  performed  your  task ;  return 
now  and  get  all  the  sleep  possible.  I  shall  order  you  a 
late  and  substantial  breakfast.  Do  nothing  for  the  pre- 
sent, but  assist  me  in  the  rescue  of  General  Ellingwood." 

The  negroes  then  withdrew.  Anna,  after  reflection  and 
prayer,  resolved  to  pursue  the  course  indicated  by  the  spy. 
Indeed,  it  was  an  infinite  relief  to  know,  that  in  the  very 
quarters  of  Major  "Worstal  was  a  coadjutor,  on  whose 
skill,  and  courage,  and  fidelity  she  could  perfectly  rely. 

An  unforeseen  event,  however,  occurred,  which  greatly 
increased  her  difficulties,  and  almost  terminated  fatally, 
for  that  beloved  life  she  had  vowed  herself  to  save.  We 
may  imagine  the  terrible  transition  for  Edward  Elling- 
wood from  the  society  of  Anna,  at  Sea-Side,  to  a  captivity 
under  Worstal,  in  prison.  In  the  face  of  his  foe  he  read 
only  hate  and  triumph.  He  saw  himself  suddenly  turned 
from  Paradise  to  Pandemonium.  As  he  approached  the 
wooden  walls  the  atmosphere  became  oppressive,  and  loath- 
ing crept  down  his  very  limbs.  The  presence  of  Worstal 
drove  him  to  madness.  Ogre's  face,  scowling  in  hideous 
ugliness,  intensified  his  misery,  so  that  even  the  kind 
countenance  of  Father  John  gave  him  slight  relief.  Look- 
ing, on  the  day  succeeding  his  confinement,  from  his  bed 
through  the  window,  madmen  raved  and  idiots  gibbered, 
amid  scenes  he  never  afterwards  dared  recall.  Soon  he 
felt  his  head  throbbing,  burning,  whirling.  His  former 
delirium  returned,  arming  him  with  preternatural  strength. 
The  hiss  of  the  steam  from  a  locomotive,  standing  near, 
20 


230  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

pierced  his  brain,  and  the  yell  of  its  whistle  increased  his 
frenzy.  He  dashed  through  the  window.  He  rushed  out 
agate.  He  leaped  on  the  locomotive.  He  hurled  oft"  the 
engineer.  With  a  scream  of  wild  joy  he  moved  the  lever. 
A  shower  of  balls,  from  the  pursuing  guard,  fell  harmless 
around  his  person,  and  they  ran  in  vain  to  stop  the  ma- 
chine, gliding  swiftly  backwards.  Its  speed  increased.  It 
passed  the  encampment.  It  flew  through  a  field.  It 
thundered  over  a  bridge.  It  rushed  by  a  forest.  It  darted 
through  a  village.  Telegraph-posts  almost  appeared  a 
colonnade.  Fences,  trees,  houses,  flocks,  men,  bridges, 
streams,  towns,  valleys,  hills,  flashed  by  like  a  madman's 
visions.  The  delirium  of  Ellingwood  grew  with  the 
speed.  He  became  wild  with  ecstacy.  Once  he  climbed 
up  the  support,  and  out  on  the  cover,  and  stamped,  and 
danced,  and  screamed,  and  then  crawled  down  before  the 
boiler  without  injury.  After  his  capture,  he  could  only 
remember,  that  he  looked  behind  him ;  that  he  saw 
another  locomotive  in  full  chase ;  that  he  reversed  his  own 
engine ;  that  he  leaped  off  at  a  curve  of  the  road ;  and  that 
he  jumped  and  shouted  in  frantic  exultation,  as  he  beheld 
the  two  fire-monsters  dashing  towards  each  other  like 
blazing  demons,  and,  meeting  with  thundering  crash, 
leap  into  the  air,  and  driven  into  each  other,  fall  on  the 
track  in  helpless,  burning,  smoking  ruin. 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

THE   RESULT. 

The  feeling  that  the  life  of  Edward  Ellingwood  was 
depending  on  her  courage,  and  wisdom  inspired  Anna 
Austin  with  a  solemn  sense  of  responsibility.  Her  fancy- 
often  pictured  him  in  his  prison  surrounded  by  remorse- 
less enemies.  A  thin  face  and  a  sunken  eye  pursued  her 
night  and  day. 

General  Brompton  was  still  absent,  and  she  had  no 
earthly  friend  to  consult.  Edward's  frenzied  effort  on  the 
locomotive  she  knew  would  excite  his  foe  to  greater 
watchfulness  and  greater  cruelty.  Her  two  faithful 
negroes  appeared  animated  with  superhuman  strength, 
and  daring,  and  in  this  she  recognized  the  favor  of 
Heaven.  She  felt  also  in  her  own  soul  born  a  new  power. 
Jumbo  and  Jim  rode  every  night  to  a  wood  adjoining  the 
prison.  Here  they  fastened  their  horses,  and  then  pro- 
ceeded to  dig  the  tunnel,  working  until  nearly  day-break. 

After  their  return  in  the  mornrhg  Jumbo  always  ap- 
peared in  the  parlor  to  report  the  progress  of  the  night 
to  his  anxious  mistress. 

We  will  collect  together  the  substance  of  several  con- 
versations, and  thus  have  in  one  view  the  state  of  affairs. 
The  old  negro  came  into  the  apartment,  soiled  with 
dirt  and  exhausted,  and  even  haggard  with  his  severe 
and  perilous  labor. 

Anna  inquired,  "  When  you  tied  your  horses,  Jumbo, 

231 


232  THE    AMERICAN    CARDINAL. 

and  went  near  the  prison,  how  did  you  decide  where  to 
begin  your  tunnel  ?" 

"  Ah !"  he  answered,  lifting  up  both  hands  with  a  look 
of  wonder.  "  Lau,  Missus,  dat  spy,  he  knows  ebberyting 
— he  mus  hab  'niunicashun  wid  de  sperits — he  cum  a 
hitchin,  and  a  crawlin,  and  a  dukin,  and  he  say,  'Niggas 
see  dis  yer  bank !  Hur  am  a  cabe  Hebben  made  for  yer 
dirt.  Scratch  'way  yer  darkies,  de  ole  beava,  and  de 
young  beava,  and  I'se  let  yer  know  what's  gwine  on 
inside.  Dey  be  starbin  de  Ginral,  and  tell  yer  Missus 
he  be  wastin'  'way  to  his  skin  and  bone.'  Den  we's  'gin 
at  de  bank,  and  I'se  digs,  and  Jim's  carry  'way  de  yearth 
in  ou'  hats,  and  piles  it  in  de  cabe — tight  wuk,  Missus." 

"  Yes,  and  you  and  Jim  are  not  remarkably  slender," 
replied  Anna,  laughing.  "Betta's  for  de  Ginral,"  an- 
swered Jumbo,  casting  his  eyes  complacently  down  on 
his  own  rotundity,  "  betta's  for  de  Ginral !  He  no  stick 
in  de  place  we'se  leave,  like  de  fall  'possum  in  de  small 
gum-hole.  He  cum  trough  like  dat  varment  in  de  spring 
afta  de  winta's  fast.  De  Ginral  he  lean  'possum  afore  he 
crawl  away  from  de  Maja." 

Anna  could  not  repress  a  smile,  although  such  grave 
interests  were  involved.  "But  were  you  not  afraid  of 
being  discovered,  and  killed  ?"  she  again  asked. 

"Lau,  Missus,  Hebben  help  us,  and  keep  up  our 
sperits,"  exclaimed  Jumbo.  ""We  hear  de  cry  ob  de 
gaud,  and  de  groan  ob  de  prisners,  and  de  cussin  ob  de 
sodgas,  and  de  peace  passin'  standin'  cum  in  our  hearts 
while  we  be  lyen'  on  de  groun." 

"  And  how  do  your  lanterns  answer,  now  that  you  have 
gotten  into  the  earth  ?" 

"  Dey  be'se  betta,  JMissus,  dan  de  staus  ob  de  sky,  or  de 
lamps  'bout  de  trone,  in  dat  same  cabe." 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  233 

"Has  there  been,  thus  far,  any  suspicion  of  your 
movements  ?" 

"  Wuns  we'se  hear  de  crack  ob  de  sticks,  and  a  tredin' 
ober  our  heads,  and  de  Maja  swearin,  and  de  Oga 
groulin',  and  we'se  squeeze  doun,  and  poke  de  lantern 
ahind.  At  fus  we'se  shake  like  de  quiverin'  leabs.  Den 
we'se  nudge,  and  we'se  snigger,  aud  we'se  laugh  to  tink 
we'se  cheat  de  Maja  and  de  Oga,  as  de  young  'ginny 
niggas  steal  de  coon-cub  in  de  light  ob  de  shinin'  moou." 

Having  received  these  communications,  Miss  Austin 
dismissed  Jumbo  to  his  breakfast,  and  his  slumber. 

After  several  nights  of  labor,  the  negroes  were  sure  they 
were  approaching  the  cabin  where  Edward  Ellingwood 
was  imprisoned.  The  spy  made  observations  during  the 
day,  and  stealing  to  them  in  the  darkness,  guided  their 
course.  At  last  they  began  digging  upward,  and  heard, 
with  mingled  joy  and  fear,  the  sound  of  voices  above. 
Just  as  Jim  was  removing  a  handful  of  earth,  a  ray  of 
light  darted  down  from  the  room  of  the  Major,  through  a 
crack  of  the  floor. 

"Dar  be  Satan  a  drinkin'  brandy-smash,"  whispered 
Jumbo. 

"  And  dar  his  Doctor  a  stirrin'  de  julep,"  answered  Jim, 
in  a  low  tone,  while  the  two  negroes  nudged  each  other 
with  suppressed  African  snickers,  beneath  the  very  feet  of 
their  dreaded  enemy. 

Everything  was  now  managed  with  the  greatest  circum- 
spection. A  branch  tunnel  was  completed  immediately 
under  Ellingwood's  room,  and  a  hole  made  large  enough 
to  reach  through  a  hand,  and  convey  food  and  letters. 
The  spy  communicated  the  scheme  to  the  General,  and 
loosened  a  board,  which  could  easily  be  removed  from  be- 
neath. 

20* 


234  THE    AMERICAN    CARDINAL. 

After  the  work  was  finished,  Anna  Austin  felt  a  weight 
lifted  from  her  heart.  Yet  she  trembled,  as  the  crisis  of 
her  plans  approached.  Having  written  a  note  and  pre- 
pared some  food,  she  summoned  Jumbo  into*  her  presence. 
She  said  to  him,  with  the  greatest  solemnity,  "  Everything 
now  depends  on  you  and  your  son.  Let  Jim  be  under  the 
room  of  the  Major  and  the  Doctor,  to  hear  what  they  say. 
Do  you  go  beneath  that  of  General  Ellingwood,  and  give 
him  this  package." 

Jumbo  replied  gravely,  "  De  wish  ob  Missus  Anna  be 
minded  like  de  law  of  Moses,  savin',  -  niggas  nebber  steal 
from  de  massa.' " 

Anna  was  too  anxious,  to  be  amused  at  Jumbo's  Scrip- 
ture, and  she  proceeded  to  say :  "The  spy,  you  know, 
informed  us  the  General  will  be  alone  at  midnight.  When 
the  guard  cries  twelve,  push  away  the  board,  and  give 
him  this  as  I  directed." 

The  negro  took  the  package,  and  was  dismissed.  When 
Anna  heard  the  clatter  of  his  horse,  her  heart  beat  wildly. 
A  slight  accident  might  destroy  her  plans.  That  life, 
dearer  than  her  own,  was  suspended  on  the  sagacity  of 
two  faithful,  but  untutored  negroes.  She  fell  on  her 
knees  before  the  sofa,  raised  her  eyes  to  Heaven  arid 
prayed  earnestly  and  long  for  strength,  and  guidance,  and 
success. 

While  these  projects  were  in  progress  Ellingwood  was 
passing  through  experiences  which  would  leave  traces  on 
all  his  future  history.  After  the  ride  on  the  locomotive, 
his  delirium  soon  exhausted  its  violence,  and  he  lay  in  a 
dull,  heavy  stupor.  Eeduced  diet  and  close  confinement 
were  gradually  exhausting  the  springs  of  his  life. 

The  spy  had  continued  occasionally  to  supply  a  little 
food,  or  he  would  certainly  have  died.    Even  now  there 


THE    AMERICAN    CARDINAL.  235 

was  danger  that  his  strength  would  not  be  sufficient 
for  his  escape.  On  the  night  so  anxiously  expected 
he  was  making  strong  efforts  to  keep  awake.  The 
full  moon  poured  from  her  zenith  through  his  win- 
dow a  flood  of  mild  splendor.  All  the  events  of  his  life 
were  again  passing  before  him,  not  in  the  whirl  of  deli- 
rium, but  like  the  slow  unfolding  of  a  vast  picture.  The 
tramp  of  the  guard  could  be  heard  in  different  directions, 
and  at  intervals  their  monotonous  cry.  A  siDgle  dog 
howled  dismally.  Every  breeze  brought  to  his  ear  min- 
gled moans  and  blasphemies.  The  desolation  of  his  situa- 
tion was  almost  insupportable.  AVith  the  midnight  "  all's 
well,"  he  cast  his  eye  over  his  bed.  A  board  moved 
visibly.  He  was  for  a  moment  startled  to  see  it  pushed 
slowly  aside.  A  black  hand  was  reached  upward. 
Silently  and  eagerly  he  snatched  a  package  from  its  fin- 
gers. It  was  then  drawn  down,  and  the  board  replaced. 
Ellingwood,  hastily  alleviating  nature  by  a  few  deli- 
cious morsels,  tore  open  the  letter,  purposely  written  in 
large  characters,  that  he  might  decipher  it  in  the  moon- 
beam.    He  eagerly  read : 

"  Dearest  Edward  : 

"  All  is  ready.  Beneath  your  room  is  a  tunnel,  dug  by 
Jumbo  and  Jim  for  your  escape.  On  to-morrow  night  at 
twelve  raise  the  board,  descend,  and  be  certain  to  replace 
it.  After  leaving  the  tunnel  you  will  find  horses  in  the 
wood.  Hide  for  your  life,  as  the  blood-hounds  will  soon 
be  after  you.  Six  miles  from  the  prison  you  will  find  a 
stream.  You  and  Jim  ride  up  it  some  distance  to  the 
right,  and  Jumbo  down  to  the  left  in  order  to  confuse  the 
dogs.    The  latter  will  return  to  Sea-Side,  and  the  former 


236  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

act  as  your  guide.     Farewell.     Trust  in  Heaven.     I  'will 
pray  constantly.     Yours  in  eternal  love, 

Anna." 

P.  S. — "  I  will  send  you  three  revolvers  and  a  prayer- 
book." 

When  Edward  had  read  these  lines  tears  started  from 
his  hollow  eyes  and  ran  over  his  sunken  cheeks.  He 
kissed  the  note  again  and  again  in  rapture.  How  bliss- 
ful to  know  in  such  an  hour  that  his  Anna  was  to  prove 
his  delivering  angel !  Yet  in  the  midst  of  his  transport 
he  could  scarcely  refrain  a  smile  when  he  recalled  the 
incongruities  of  the  Postscript,  suggesting  a  mingled  con- 
fidence in  prayer  and  powder.  He  now  heard  the  step  of 
Ogre,  and  he  had  just  time  to  place  the  letter  in  his 
breast  and  turn  on  his  side,  and  compose  himself  into 
the  appearance  of  slumber,  when  he  felt  bending  over 
him  a  horrid  face,  and  glaring  down  on  him  a  fiendish 
eye,  and  touching  his  wrist-vein  a  cold  finger  marking  the 
decays  of  his  life.  "While  the  venomous  breath  was  on 
his  cheek,  he  heard  in.  the  next  apartment  the  hoarse 
voice  of  Worstal. 

When  the  negroes  returned,  Jumbo  took  Jim  into  the 
presence  of  Miss  Anna. 

She  said  to  the  former,  "Has  every  thing  happened 
according  to  our  plans  ?    Tell  me  at  once  !" 

"  Ebbery  ting,  Missus.  Dis  ole  han'  tuk  'way  de  board, 
and  hole  up  de  bundle,  and  de  Ginral  he  tuk  it  from  dese 
finga's,  and  Is'e  shut  de  place,  and  den  crawl  'way. 

"  But  Jim  tell  de  Missus  what  you'se  he-ard." 

Here  the  worthy  son  rolling  up  his  eyes,  and  lifting 
both  his  hands  in  alarm,  and  horror,  exclaimed,  "  Why, 
Missus,  as  Is'e  laid  scrouchin'  down  Is'e  see  de  Maja,  and 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  237 

de  Oga  in  de  light  ob  de  caudle.  Wuns  Is'e  tot  dey  look 
right  down  de  crack  in  dis  nigga's  face.  Be  Maja  say  he 
wait  no  longa — starbin  too  slow — he  pisin — he  stab — he 
shoot — he  hang  de  Yank'  cur,  and  trow  him  to  de  buz- 
zads.  De  Oga  he  grin,  and  he  swear,  and  dey  look  like 
two  debbils  gwine  'bout  in  de  flame  ob  de  pit,  and  Is'e 
shuk  woss,  dan  when  de  roarin  guns  kill  five  hundred 
Massa  dials'  reg'ment." 

Miss  Anna  turned  pale  at  this  recital.  She  perceived 
that  her  arrangements  were  not  one  moment  too,  soon. 
Possibly  even  now  Edward's  life  has  become  exhausted 
by  his  privations,  or  "Worstal's  hate  has  leaped  over  every 
barrier  of  prudence,  and  quenched  itself  in  the  blood  of 
its  victim. 

On  the  appointed  night,  the  horses  were  tied  as  near 
the  mouth  of  the  tunnel  as  appeared  safe.  Jumbo  and 
Jim  entered  as  usual.  They  remained  for  some  time  in 
their  concealment,  awaiting  the  midnight  signal.  Wor- 
stal  and  Ogre  were  sleeping  in  their  room. 

Father  John  having  seen  that  his  efforts  to  save  their 
prisoner's  life  would  be  vain,  had  refused  any  longer  to 
share  their  quarters.  When  the  guard  cried  twelve, 
Edward  arose  carefully.  Hastily  dressing,  he  took  every- 
thing he  thought  he  should  need,  or  that  would  not  be  too 
speedily  missed.  He  knelt  an  instant  in  prayer.  Rising, 
he  threw  a  hasty  glance  around  his  prison  and  looked 
anxiously  at  the  rude  door  which  separated  him  from  his 
murderous  enemies.  He  withdrew  the  board,  and  trem- 
blingly letting  himself  down  restored  it  to  its  place.  Just 
as  his  hand  thrilled  with  the  touch  of  the  faithful  Jumbo, 
he  remembered  he  had  left  Anna's  letter  under  his 
pillow.  For  an  instant  he  was  fearfully  agitated,  and  in 
doubt  what  to  do,  but  a  moment's  reflection  showed  him 


238  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

the  peril  of  leaving  the  precious  paper.  He  drew  back 
the  board,  lifted  himself  into  the  room,  snatched  the  letter, 
thrust  it  into  his  bosom,  and  as  he  returned  to  the  dark 
passage,  he  heard  the  terrible  voice  of  Worsted,  uttering 
curses  iu  his  dreams.  Greatly  exhausted  by  his  effort 
and  excitement,  he  crawled  slowly  after  Jumbo,  and  pass- 
ing the  main  tunnel,  they  were  followed  by  Jim.  With 
great  difficulty  they  reached  the  open  air,  whose  pure 
breath  was  an  instant  invigoration.  The  party  then 
crept  along  the  ground  and  came  to  the  horses  without 
exciting  suspicion.  Jumbo  handed  two  revolvers  to  the 
General,  and  one  revolver  to  Jim,  the  former  having 
mounted  Tiger,  and  the  latter  Nell.  The  party  then  rode 
slowly  through  the  wood,  beneath  a  moon  slightly  veiled 
by  a  single  passing  cloud.  Emerging  into  the  broad 
road  they  spurred  furiously. 

Before  many  minutes,  they  heard  the  ominous  boom  of 
a  cannon.  Looking  behind  them  as  they  flew,  they  saw 
glancing  lights  in  the  prison  yard  and  windows.  Soon 
the  deep  bay  of  two  blood-hounds  startled  the  very  stars. 
The  loud  cry  stopped  the  heart  of  Edward.  He  shook 
in  his  saddle  as  he  had  never  done  before  the  batteries  of 
the  enemy.  The  horses,  frightened,  ran  with  increased 
speed. 

At  the  stream  mentioned  in  Anna's  note  they  complied 
with  its  directions,  but  failed  to  baffle  the  dogs,  who  far  in 
advance  of  their  masters,  approached  with  an  ever  louden- 
ing cry,  fortunately  not  taking  the  track  of  Jumbo  on  his 
return  to  Sea-Side.  Ellingwood  resolved  on  his  course. 
He  whirled  around  Tiger  and  waited  for  the  brutes.  He 
soon  perceived  them  bounding  and  barking  in  the  moon- 
beams. Every  sinew  was  distended  as  they  leaped,  and 
they  seemed  endued  with  an  infernal  power  and  grace. 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  239 

Seeing  Ellingwood  waiting  they  stood  a  moment  with  open 
jaws.  Their  eyes  gleamed  like  orbs  of  blood.  Edward 
seized  the  opportunity.  He  was  practiced  with  the  pistol. 
Holding  a  revolver  in  each  hand  he  poured  a  shower  of 
bullets  on  the  majestic  beasts,  and  left  them  struggling  in 
their  blood.  Then  turning  Tiger,  he  and  Jim  urged  their 
horses  to  their  utmost  speed. 

Just  after  Ellingwood  left  the  prison  the  spy  had  en- 
tered his  room,  and  hastily  arranged  his  bed  to  give  it  the 
appearance  of  being  occupied.  In  a  few  minutes  Dr. 
Ogre  came  to  observe  his  patient.  As  he  lifted  the  cover 
he  started  back  in  surprise.  His  victim  was  gone.  He 
awoke  AVorstal,  whose  rage  was  demoniacal  when  he 
learned  the  fact  of  the  escape.  He  rushed  to  the  window 
and  finding  the  bars  firm,  he  stooped  to  examine  the  floor, 
where  the  loose  board  soon  exposed  the  entire  plan. 

After  a  hurried  examination  of  the  tunnel,  an  alarm 
was  made.  The  cannon  was  fired.  The  dogs  were  let 
loose.  The  direction  of  the  fugitives  was  ascertained.  A 
mounted  party,  led  by  Worstal,  started  in  pursuit,  and 
soon  found  the  hounds  lying  dead  on  the  road.  De- 
prived of  their  assistance,  every  effort  of  the  company 
was  baffled. 

Eeturning  next  morning,  after  a  fruitless  search,  the 
Major  stalked  through  the  encampment  like  a  fiend.  He 
kicked  one  prisoner  until  he  died.  He  choked  a  second, 
and  shot  a  third  through  the  brain.  Indeed  his  savagery 
was  indiscriminate,  and  he  was  equally  brutal  to  his  own 
soldiers.  As  he  passed  over  the  enclosure  of  the  prison, 
spotted  with  blood,  bearing  in  one  hand  a  revolver,  and 
in  the  other  a  huge  knife,  blaspheming  as  if  hell's  own 
mouth  had  been  opened,  the  desperate  wretches  on  every 
side,  by  one  spontaneous  impulse,  rushed  on  him  in  over- 


240  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

powering  numbers,  and  hurled  the  giant,  disarmed  and 
helpless,  to  the  ground.  His  own  men,  goaded  by  his 
cruelties,  joined  the  assault,  and  flung  themselves  on  their 
commandant. 

Against  such  an  infuriated  mass,  resistance  was  impos- 
sible. They  trampled  him  on  the  earth.  They  stamped 
his  face.  They  tore  his  hair.  One  old  prisoner  beat  him 
with  his  own  pistol.  Then  went  up  the  cry,  "  hang  him, 
hang  him."  They  carried  the  herculean  miscreant  to  the 
gallows,  tied  a  rope  around  his  immense  neck,  and  soon 
Major  Worstal  was  swinging  lifeless  between  earth  and 
heaven.  But  the  impulse  of  vengeance  was  not  yet 
expended.  Fagots  were  piled  beneath  the  savage.  Fire 
was  applied.  Soon  retributive  flames  were  blazing  around 
the  body,  while  idiots  and  lunatics  gibbered  and  danced 
and  yelled  in  their  glare.  When  the  rope  was  burned, 
the  huge  carcass,  blackened  and  disfigured,  fell  heavily 
on  the  angry  pile  below,  and  maddened  winds  scattered 
the  ashes  of  the  murderer  into  every  part  of  that  en- 
closure which  had  witnessed  his  cruelties. 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 


JOY  AND  SORROW. 


Anna  Austin  spent  the  night  of  the  escape  in  fearful 
suspense.  Seldom  do  such  anxieties  press  themselves  on 
any  solitary  soul.  The  breast  of  this  lovely  Southern 
girl  resembled  a  peaceful  vale,  glowing  in  its  quiet  beauty, 
until  suddenly  disturbed  by  the  rush  of  the  whirlwind, 
and  the  rumble  of  the  earthquake.  She  paced  her  apart- 
ment in  anguish.  Sometimes  she  fell  on  her  knees  in 
prayer.  She  flung  open  the  lattice,  and  standing  in  the 
moonlight  with  clasped  hands,  gazed  towards  the  prison. 
A  waving  branch  made  her  give  a  fearful  start.  The 
bark  of  a  plantation-dog  struck  her  ear  as  an  omen  of 
terror.  A  shrill  midnight  cock  proclaimed  to  her  the 
crisis  of  Edward's  fate,  and  a  cloud  crossed  the  moon  like 
a  shadow  over  her  hope,  when  the  low  boom  of  a  cannon 
made  her  suspense  an  agony.  She  threw  herself  on  her 
bed,  and  was  scared  by  dreams  of  flying  horses,  and 
shouting  men,  and  baying  hounds.  Once  across  her  path 
was  a  corpse.  She  shrieked,  supposing  it  was  the  body 
of  Edward,  and  was  horrified  to  discover  the  ghastly  face 
of  Worstal.  Then  angels  hovered  over  her  head  on 
glittering  wings,  and  gliding  along  slanting  sunbeams, 
vanished  smiling  into  heaven. 

Towards   morning,   gentle  slumbers   sealed  her    eyes. 

She  was  awakened  by  the  clatter  of  a  horse's  hoofs,  when 

she  found  a   noon-sun   streaming  through   her  window. 

There  is  a  rapid  step  on  the  stair,  and  a  sharp  rap  at  the 

21  241 


242  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

door,  and  regardless  of  forms,  Juinbo  stands  panting  and 
grinning  in  her  presence. 

Starting  up,  she  exclaimed :  "  Quick !  quick !  tell  me, 
tell  me!     Has  he  escaped?" 

"  Tank  Hebben,"  answered  Jumbo,  rolling  upward  his 
negro  orbs  with  a  look  of  devout  gratitude,  "  de  Ginral 
be  clean  gone  from  de  Maja,  as  de  Maja  from  dis  yer 
earth." 

"  At  once,  Jumbo,  all !  all !  tell  all  that  has  hap- 
pened !" 

The  faithful  fellow,  in  his  peculiar  and  vivid  way,  then 
narrated  the  events  of  the  escape,  in  their  order,  until  the 
time  he  left  General  Ellingwood  and  his  darling  Jim.  He 
then  proceeded  to  state,  that  he  had  ventured  near  the 
prison,  and  lingered  around  in  the  wood  until  Woistal  and 
his  troop  returned  in  their  disappointed  rage.  Here,  how- 
ever, we  must  have  his  own  animated  African  style : 

"  And  now,  Missus,  we  hab  something  awful  to  tell." 

Miss  Austin  remembered  her  dream,  and  was  prepared 
for  the  communication.  Pale  and  trembling,  she  replied, 
with  a  great  effort  to  regain  her  composure : 

"  Go  on,  Jumbo,  I  am  ready  for  the  worst." 

"  Well,  Missus,"  he  resumed,  "  when  I'se  cum  near  de 
prison,  I'se  tie  de  mar  in  de  holla,  and  I'se  dumb  de  hill, 
and  look  down  on  de  bad  place.  De  sodgas  war  wadin'  in 
de  mud,  and  lyin'  in  de  sun,  and  creepin'  in  der  holes. 
Some  war  grinnin',  some  war  jabberin',  some  war  cussin', 
some  war  hollerin',  some  war  eatin',  some  war  fightin', 
some  war  moanin',  some  war  dyin'.  Den  cum  de  Maja, 
lookin'  like  Satan  howlin'  back  to  his  hell.  He  strike  wun 
sodga,  he  choke  anudder,  and  den  he  shoot  a  fella.  Den 
dey  all  rush  on  him,  and  dey  trow  him  down,  and  dey 
tramp  him,  and  dey  tar  his  hair,  and  dey  beat  him,  and 


THE    AMERICAN    CARDINAL.  243 

dey  look  like  de  little  debbils  tornientin'  de  big  debbil.  An' 
dey  cry,  '  hang  him/  and  dey  tuk  him  and  dey  tie  rope 
'bout  his  neck,  and  dey  string  him  up,  till  he  hang  a  wor- 
king and  a  jurkin',  and  a  danglin',  like  a  sarpent  on  de 
swamp-tree.  Den  dey  tuk  de  limbs  and  de  boads,  and 
put  under  him,  and  dey  sat  de  pile  on  fire,  and  de  flames 
mount  a  roarin',  and  howlin',  and  curl  'bout  Maja,  and  he 
fall  last  on  de  burnin'  wood,  and  I'se  turn  'bout  and  run 
and  jump  on  de  mar,  and  I'se  fly  here  as  if  debbils  war 
'roun'  dis  ole  head,  like  de  crows  a  cawin',  and  a  flappin' 
over  massa  corn-field." 

Here  Jumbo  stopped,  overcome  with  the  horrors  of  his 
own  narration.  Miss  Anna  sank  back  fainting  before  the 
terrible  picture.  The  iron  had  pierced  her  heart.  Her 
own  blood  had  been  given  for  the  rescue  of  Edward.  The 
exultation  at  his  fate  was  mingled  with  tears  for  the 
wretched,  but  deserved  doom  of  her  cousin,  who  had  from 
childhood  been  linked  with  her  history.  We  must  leave 
her  in  her  grief,  and  look  back  after  him,  whose  escape 
she  had  so  nobly  planned  and  achieved. 

General  Ellingwood  had  been  guided  by  Jim  along  de- 
vious ways,  which  so  completely  bewildered  their  pursuers, 
that  the  chase  was  reluctantly  abandoned.  After  riding  a 
few  hours,  our  fugitives  found  themselves  before  a  cabin. 
A  negro,  his  wife,  and  a  troop  of  children  stood  around 
the  door,  with  grinning  welcome.  Anna's  thoughtful  care 
had  been  before,  and  provided  everything  possible  for 
comfort.  When  Edward  entered  the  house,  he  found  a 
change  of  linen,  a  stout  undress  suit  of  confederate  gray,  a 
pair  of  strong  boots,  and  a  supply  of  powder  and  balls. 
Food  had  been  sent  forward,  and  a  nourishing  breakfast 
speedily  smoked  on  the  table,  and  certainly  no  cup  of 
coffee  ever  inspired  more  gratitude,  or  afforded  more  re- 


244  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

freshment.  Then  followed  a  bath  in  a  sparkling  mountain 
stream.  Thanks  to  Heaven  and  Anna  were  continually- 
bursting  from  the  lips  of  Ellingwood.  The  scenery  about 
the  cabin  was  charming.  Behind  rose  a  wooded  hill,  and 
stretching  for  miles  in  front  wound  a  valley,  watered  by 
flashing  streams,  while,  in  every  direction,  were  visible  the 
bloom,  and  brilliance,  and  glory  of  the  Southern  land- 
scape. 

Edward  Ellingwood  remained  for  several  days  amid 
these  scenes,  until  completely  refreshed  in  body  and  mind. 
The  horses  had  been  sent  home  soon  after  their  arrival, 
that  their  absence  might  not  excite  suspicion  against  Miss 
Anna.  It  was  likewise  deemed  safest  to  accomplish  the 
rest  of  the  journey  on  foot. 

The  General  and  Jim  started  at  last  on  their  perilous 
way  to  the  Federal  camp.  They  generally  traveled  by 
night,  and  slept  by  day  in  barns,  and  negro  cabins. 
Everywhere  the  African  was  their  friend.  They  waded 
swamps.  They  swam  streams.  They  slept  beneath  the 
sky.  On  the  mountains  they  suffered  from  cold,  and  on 
the  plain  panted  beneath  the  sun.  Twice  they  had  mar- 
vellous escapes.  They  afterwards  found  they  had  kept  in 
a  line  parallel  with  Sherman's  march.  Often  in  the  dis- 
tance they  saw  the  sky  illuminated  by  burning  houses. 
Once  from  a  summit,  far  away  the  eastern  heavens  seemed 
a  sheet  of  fire  darting  and  trembling  like  the  coruscations 
of  an  aurora.  This  Ellingwood  subsequently  ascertained 
was  from  the  conflagration  of  Columbia. 

After  many  wearisome  and  perilous  days,  exhausted 
with  hunger  and  fatigue,  he,  accompanied  by  the  sturdy 
Jim,  came  into  the  lines  of  General  Grant  just  before 
the  fall  of  Kichmond.  "We  will  not  undertake  to  describe 
the  emotions  inspired  in  his  own  breast  by  his  arrival,  or 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  245 

the  joy  of  his  surprised  friends.  While  wild  flames  were 
blazing  over  the  doomed  capital  of  the  confederacy,  he 
soon  afterwards  entered  amid  their  glare,  and  saw  exult- 
ingly  waving  from  the  State-House  the  triumphant  stars 
of  the  Republic. 

21* 


CHAPTER  XXX. 


ROME. 


""We  have  fought,  and  we  have  lost,  and  we  must 
sincerely  accept  our  situation,"  said  General  Brompton  to 
his  niece  as  they  sat  on  the  Piazza  at  Sea-Side  a  few 
months  after  the  conclusion  of  the  war. 

"  Dear  Uncle,"  replied  Anna,  "  I  am  rejoiced  to  hear 
you  say  this.  Your  old  arguments  always  brought  over 
my  mind  a  shadow,  and  excited  apprehensions  which  now 
seem  to  have  been  prophetic  of  the  result.  The  questions 
involved  in  the  war  are  I  hope  forever  at  rest." 

"  What  remains  of  my  life  shall  be  devoted  to  the 
prosperity  of  the  South  under  the  flag  of  the  nation. 
Nothing  now  will  restore  our  influence  but  the  material 
wealth  of  the  country.  Cotton  may  not  be  a  lordly 
tyrant,  but  must  be  a  wealthy  citizen." 

"How  thankful  you  should  be,  uncle,  that  your 
English  investments  have  rather  increased  than  di- 
minished your  income.  Thousands  of  those  once  rich 
are  now  destitute.  Mrs.  Alston,  only  last  week,  sent 
North  her  plate  for  sale.  Mr.  Haines  has  placed  his 
pictures  in  a  New  York  auction-room.  Indeed  I  know 
a  lady  who  has  disposed  of  all  her  jewelry,  including  her 
wedding-ring." 

"  And  many  of  our  most  refined  and  noble  people  will 
be  compelled  to  seek  the  meanest  employments,"  said 
General  Brompton,  with  a  tear  on  his  manly  cheek. 
"  Indeed  we  do  not  yet  appreciate  the  terrible  reality  of 
our  trials.  The  time  will  speedily  come,  when  our  former 
246 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  247 

Blaves  will  meet  us  at  the  ballot-box,  and  rule  us  in 
official  positions." 

These  words  brought  scarlet  into  the  face  of  Anna 
Austin.  Turning  towards  her  uncle  in  the  greatest  ex- 
citement, she  exclaimed:  "Impossible!  What!  Jim 
vote,  and  Jumbo  go  to  the  Georgia  Legislature !"  The 
thing  thus  expressed  seemed  so  amusing,  that  indignation 
was  turned  to  laughter. 

After  a  few  hearty  and  refreshing  peals,  General 
Brompton  resumed:  "My  dear  Anna,  I  perceive  that 
our  mad  extremists  are  bringing  on  our  whole  people 
humiliations  a  narrow  Northern  sectionalism  will  be  sure 
to  inflict.  Yet  I  have  deliberately  resolved  nothing  shall 
ever  shake  my  loyalty  to  the  national  government.  My 
motto  henceforth  shall  be— The  New  South  under  the 
Old  Flag.  Promise  me,  that  after  your  marriage,  you 
will  not  forget  your  own  dear  native  State." 

"Never,  never;  oh,  never!"  exclaimed  Anna,  with  the 
deepest  pathos  of  love  in  her  voice.  "Whatever  the 
faults  of  the  South  may  have  been,  I  admire  the  gallantry 
and  heroism  of  her  sons  and  daughters."  And  then  sud- 
denly rising,  and  kneeling  before  the  GeDeral,  she  added : 
"  Here  I  promise  and  vow,  that  my  fortune  and  position 
shall  be  devoted  to  the  land  of  my  birth." 

The  heart  of  the  old  gentleman  was  deeply  moved. 
Stooping  down,  he  tenderly  kissed  the  forehead  of  his 
niece.  Placing  his  hands  on  her  head,  he  said,  amid  drop- 
ping tears :  "  God  bless  you,  Anna.  God  bless  Edward ! 
God  bless  the  South !   God  bless  the  Country ! 

When  Miss  Austin  arose,  General  Brompton  pointed 
to  a  chair,  and  after  they  were  both  seated,  he  commenced 
in  a  gay  tone :  "  Here,  here  is  something  yon  will  take 
an  interest  in.     I  found  an  Ode  to  'Our  Flag,'  and  one 


248  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

to  '  Our  Country/  in  Ellingwood's  own  writing,  between 
the  leaves  of  a  book  in  the  library.  I  have  ventured  to 
make  a  copy,  and  I  presume  you  will  not  refuse  the 
originals." 

With  a  playful  smile,  and  a  profound  bow,  he  gave 
the  paper  to  Anna,  who  took  it  with  the  slightest  possible 
embarrassment,  and  approach  to  a  blush.  She  remem- 
bered how  much  suffering  those  songs  had  probably 
caused  herself,  and  Edward. 

Just  here  the  conversation  was  interrupted  by  a 
servant  with  a  letter.  General  Brompton  hastily  opened 
the  envelope,  and  glancing  his  eye  with  a  lawyer's 
rapidity  over  the  neat  page,  while  a  gleam  of  pleasure 
played  over'  his  features,  he  exclaimed,  holding  the 
epistle  before  Anna's  face :  "  Ellingwood  writes  urgently, 
requesting  us  to  join  him  in  New  York  on  the  fifteenth, 
and  take  passage  for  Liverpool  in  the  Russia.  He  pro- 
poses proceeding  from  thence  direct  to  Rome,  where  the 
Judge,  Mary,  and  Mrs.  Cleveland  are  still  staying.  Ada 
expects  to  join  the  party,  and  Dr.  Elton  and  his  son  are 
to  follow  in  a  few  weeks." 

"  Oh,  that  will  be  delightful,  delightful !"  burst  forth 
Anna,   clapping    her  hands,   and   almost  dancing   with 

The  arrangements  for  a  voyage  to  Europe  are  soon 
made  in  this  age.  A  telegraph  was  flashed  from  Willow- 
Shade  to  Sea-Side  at  noon.  By  three  o'clock,  the  trunks 
were  packed.  At  four,  the  coach  was  at  the  door.  Before 
five,  tickets  were  purchased,  and  checks  arranged,  and 
General  Brompton  and  Anna  Austin  were  sitting  in  the 
car  with  their  faces  northward.  Two  negroes  occu- 
pied the  side  seat  near  the  door.  What  nice  respect- 
able servants — that  father  and  that  son!   Jumbo  and  Jim, 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  249 

are  going  to  Rome  with  their  master  and  mistress.  Five 
o'clock  and  five  minutes!  the  steam-whistle  shrieks  its 
signal.  There  is  a  jerk  and  a  jangle — a  slow  motion — a 
rapid  increase — a  lightning  speed.  Our  party  are  speedily 
in  New  York;  they  embark  on  the  "Russia;"  in  ten  days 
they  are  at  Liverpool ;  in  three  more  they  are  in  Paris, 
and  soon  after  they  have  reached  Rome. 

As  we  have  not  described  the  joy  of  meeting  in  our  own 
commercial  metropolis,  we  will  not  linger  to  depict  it  in 
the  eternal  city.  We  will  begin  with  Judge  Ellingwood 
and  General  Brompton,  arm-in-arm,  and  cigar  in  mouth 
puffing  to  the  moon,  within  the  walls  of  the  Coliseum. 
How  suggestive  of  the  age !  men  of  the  new  world  in  the 
mistress  of  the  old  world !  Clouds  of  American  tobacco- 
smoke  curling  lazily  and  gracefully  in  the  glimmering 
beams  through  that  vast  edifice,  where  mailed  gladiators 
exchanged  their  deadly  sword- thrusts ;  where  the  Christian 
martyrs  stained  the  jaws  of  the  wild  beasts;  where  Roman 
Emperors  in  their  purple  sat  enthroned,  while  the  shouts 
of  a  hundred  thousand  citizens  burst  from  the  circling 
tiers,  and  shook  the  velarium,  and  expended  their  thun- 
ders over  the  palaces  of  the  Csesars,  or  above  the  majestic 
capitol,  or  were  borne  out  by  the  breeze,  even  to  the  luxu- 
rious villas  of  the  Campagna!  How  different  the  frock- 
coat  of  a  Yankee  Judge  and  a  Georgia  Lawyer  from  the 
robe  of  Pompey  and  the  toga  of  Cicero !  Different ! 
Different  as  an  electric  telegraph  from  an  ancient  courier, 
or  a  senatorial  chariot  from  a  flashing  locomotive !  Yet, 
modern  Rome  is  still  of  the  past.  The  purple  of  the 
Empire,  and  the  scarlet  of  the  Papacy,  are  symbolic 
colors  of  a  perpetuated  dynasty. 

When  the  conversation  had  been  continued  for  some 
minutes  between  the  gentlemen,  amid  scenes  so  classic, 
and  so   suggestive,   ae  they   passed  to   and  fro,   Judge 


250  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

Ellingwood  suddenly  pausing,  and  pointing  to  the  arm  of 
General  Brompton  resting  on  his  own,  said,  with  impres- 
sive emphasis : 

"  How  emblematic  this,  of  our  restored  political  rela- 
tions !  May  North  and  South,  like  our  own  hearts,  be 
united  in  a  common  love  for  a  common  work  under  a 
common  flag !" 

The  General  stopped,  and  taking  both  the  hands  of  the 
Judge  in  his  own,  replied  with  the  most  profound  feeling, 
"  I  shall  stand  true  to  my  pledges.  The  doctrine  of 
secession  has  been  tried  by  the  sword  in  battle  with  the 
doctrine  of  unity.  I  accept  the  decision  of  the  war.  All 
my  influence  shall  be  employed  with  our  noble  people  to 
make  them  loyal  to  our  inseparable  stars.  Heaven  has 
decreed  that  we  be  one  single  nationality  from  the  Atlan- 
tic to  the  Pacific — possibly  from  Darien  to  Labrador. 
Our  soil  is  consecrated  by  the  blood  of  heroes  to  universal 
Liberty." 

The  gentlemen  then  joined  arms  again,  and  resuming 
their  walk,  Judge  Ellingwood  replied — a  gleam  of  satis- 
faction spreading  over  his  features,  followed  by  a  shadow 
of  distrust,  "  My  greatest  fear  now  is  from  our  own  provin- 
cial narrowness.  Northern  sectionalism  having  achieved 
its  triumph  may  be  as  dangerous  as  Southern  sectionalism. 
I  pray  that  our  statesmen  may  rise  to  the  greatness  of  the 
age  and  of  our  destiny !  Selfishness  turned  this  magnifi- 
cence around  us  into  ruin,  and  only  the  comprehensive 
spirit  of  Washington  breathed  into  our  Republic  can  pre- 
serve us  from  worse  than  Roman  wreck." 

"  And  when  these  political  questions  are  settled,"  an- 
swered the  General,  "  as  you  once  suggested  in  our  Wash- 
ington interview,  there  will  arise  in  our  country  a  religi- 
gious  issue  which  will  shake  its  foundations.     No  man 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  251 

reading  history  can  doubt  that  the  old  Roman  Imperial- 
ism which  subdued  the  world  under  Emperors  is  con- 
tinued in  the  modern  Italian  Imperialism  which  would 
subject  humanity  under  the  Popes.  In  some  respects  the 
latter  has  the  advantage.  It  so  blends  ancient  mythology 
and  scriptural  truth,  that  heathenism  and  Christianity 
unite  to  sustain  the  Pontiffs." 

"  Now  mark  my  prediction,"  interposed  the  Judge, 
somewhat  excitedly.  "  I  have  most  reliable  information 
that  before  ten  year3  the  Jesuits  will  assemble  a  pretended 
Ecumenical  Council  to  proclaim  from  the  Vatican  the 
infallibility  of  the  Pope.  They  wish  for  him  both  the 
temporal  and  spiritual  sovereignty  of  the  world.  He 
would  absorb  to  himself  the  whole  Episcopal  power,  and 
become  the  judge  of  doctrine,  the  channel  of  grace,  and 
the  object  of  worship  for  our  race — in  mortal  flesh  an  im- 
mortal God !" 

"  I  had  once  supposed,"  returned  the  General,  "  that 
such  assumptions  could  only  deceive  the  ignorant  masses 
whose  idolatrous  propensities  demand  a  visible  deity. 
How  can  the  intelligence  of  our  age  forget  Constantine's 
Dotation,  the  False  Decretals,  the  murders  of  the  Borgias, 
or  the  indulgences  of  Leo !  Yet  the  defection  of  culti- 
vated and  sincere  men  in  England  and  America  estab- 
lishes that  education  may  improve  a  sound  mind,  but  can 
never  supply  sound  sense.  I  fear  learning  often  confuses 
weak  heads,  and  intensifies  natural  silliness." 

"  It  is  indeed  a  great  mistake  to  conclude,"  said  the 
Judge  thoughtfully  and  sadly,  "  that  the  proclamation  of 
Infallibility  will  overthrow  the  Papacy.  It  may  cost  it 
the  Vatican,  St.  Peter's,  Rome,  the  Tiara.  It  will  alien- 
ate masculine  intellects.  It  will  bind  Romanism  to  a 
fossilized  medievalism,  and  separate  it  from  the  progress 


252  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

of  the  age,  and  make  Rome  the  see  of  a  liberal  Bishop 
and  the  capital  of  united  Italy,  and  produce  another  Pro- 
testant schism.  But  it  has  a  charm  for  dreamy  divines, 
esthetic  ladies,  and  the  simple  multitude.  How  your 
southern  negroes  would  delight  to  kiss  the  toe  of  the  un- 
erring Pio  Nono  amid  a  pageant  of  St.  Peter's !  John 
Chinaman  will  find  slight  difference  between  the  worship 
of  Tau  and  the  invocation  of  Peter.  Besides,  the  new 
Rome  like  the  old  must  have  a  strong  central  power. 
What  can  equal  a  Pope,  holy,  supreme,  infallible,  ruling 
the  world  without  even  the  annoyance  of  his  Bishops  in  a 
General  Council !" 

"  You  have  been  recently  to  Moscow  and  St.  Peters- 
burgh.  Is  there  no  hope  in  the  Greek  Church  ?"  inquired 
the  General. 

"  None  whatever  !"  answered  the  Judge.  "  Observa- 
tion and  study  have  shown  me  the  same  corruptions  and 
idolatries  in  Eastern  and  Western  communions.  There 
is  no  difference  except  in  repugnance  of  race,  and  enmity 
to  Papal  usurpation." 

"  Then  our  only  reliance,"  replied  the  General,  "  is  in  a 
Reformation  in  the  Greek  Church,  and  in  the  Latin 
Church  similar  to  that  which  purified  the  Anglican 
Church." 

"  Permit  me  to  say  further  while  we  are  on  the  sub- 
ject," interrupted  the  Judge,  "  that  I  believe  the  Greek 
race  had  its  mission  of  culture,  and  the  Latin  race  its 
mission  of  imperialism,  while  the  Saxon  race  is  exhibiting 
a  mission  of  diffusion.  It  represents  vigor,  aggression, 
progress.  It  has  colonized  over  the  world  the  English 
language,  English  ideas,  English  law,  English  liberty. 
The  dominion  of  Britain  may  contract  to  her  islands,  but 
her  work  will  be  immortal  in  our  great  American  Re- 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  253 

public.  Prussia  will  soon  by  a  united  Germany  add  to 
the  Saxon  ascendency,  and  then  woe  to  that  power  oppos- 
ing the  genius  and  destiny  of  a  race  ordained  by  Heaven 
to  give  our  world  Political  Freedom  and  Pure  Chris- 
tianity !" 

"  And  I,"  replied  General  Brompton,  "  in  the  light  of 
our  late  war,  and  of  the  movements  of  the  age  in  Europe 
and  America,  now  perceive  the  work  of  our  Kepublic. 
When  I  return  I  will  aid  in  organizing  every  possible 
social  and  religious  element  into  compact  resistance  to  the 
Pope.  He  relies  on  immigration,  and  Jesuitism  to  possess 
our  land,  and  thence  extend  his  sway  over  our  humanity. 
When  the  infallibility  of  his  Holiness  is  decided,  every 
minor  difference  will  be  absorbed,  and  the  whole  struggle 
concentrate  itself  into  a  gigantic  contest  between  the 
Power  of  the  Pope,  and  the  Power  of  the  People.  This 
will  be  the  grand  final  battle  for  our  continent,  and  our 
world.  That  decided,  Liberty  and  Christianity  may  have 
their  universal  triumph  in  both  a  political,  and  religious 
Millenium." 

When  we  hear  such  conversations  beneath  smoke-clouds, 
puffing,  and  circling,  and  floating  over  the  broken  arches 
of  the  Coliseum,  we  may  smile  at  the  theories  suggested,  as 
the  offspring  of  American  extravagance,  excited  at  once 
by  strong  tobacco  and  classic  association.  Our  skepticism 
certainly  has  a  right  to  be  amused,  and  even  indignant. 
Yet,  how  different  the  aspirations  of  the  Judge  and  the 
General  from  those  immortalized  by  the  ruins  around 
which  they  stand !  That  structure,  lifting  its  vast,  oval, 
roofless  walls  to  the  stars,  is  the  monument  of  a  power 
which  sought  to  enslave  a  world,  and  by  its  wrong,  wrought 
its  ruin.  These  Christian  Statesmen,  representatives  of  a 
22 


254  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

new  race,  a  new  continent,  and  a  new  ambition,  are  pro- 
jecting schemes  to  hurl,  by  the  bloodless  Press,  and  peace- 
ful Ballot,  a  despotism  from  their  country,  that  all  nations, 
through  her,  may  become  in  faith,  and  truth,  and  love  one 
Universal  Brotherhood. 


CHAPTER  XXXI, 


INEXORABLE. 


Few  human  beings  ever  experienced  greater  torture 
than  Arthur  Cleveland  after  the  delirium  in  which  we 
left  him  on  board  the  America.  Visions  of  the  past 
haunted  him  like  phantoms.  His  wild  agony  soon  settled 
into  a  condition  of  pitiable  melancholy.  He  stole  forth 
from  the  vessel  at  Liverpool,  after  the  other  passengers 
had  left,  like  a  wandering  ghost.  Pale,  gaunt,  spectral, 
he  resembled  a  tomb,  occupied  by  a  skeleton  being,  who, 
finding  escape  impossible,  had  resigned  himself  to  his 
gloom.  He  had  lost  faith  in  Rome,  and  found  faith  in 
nothing.  Had  he  been  an  Oriental  he  would  have  be* 
lieved  dogmas  his  reason  now  rejected.  Had  he  been  a 
Latin,  he  would  have  inclined  to  Papal  imperialism.  But 
his  blood  was  English.  He  had  a  long  line  of  ancestors, 
whose  veins  had  been  filled  from  the  Norseman,  and  the 
Saxon,  and  the  Briton.  He  had,  indeed,  been  a  traitor 
to  the  genius  of  his  race.  Yet  he  had  in  him  all  those 
latent  tendencies  which,  developed  in  the  Reformation,  had 
hurled -from  old  England  Romish  usurpation,  Romish 
idolatry,  and  Romish  corruption.  Impulses  now  revived 
in  his  breast,  transmitted  from  sturdy  men,  who  had  dared 
chains  and  flames  in  martyrdom  for  the  very  Truth  he  had 
so  impulsively  renounced.  In  an  evil  hour  of  excitement, 
his  unconscious  ambition  had  involved  his  life.  But  the 
tendencies  of  his  race,  guided  by  Heaven,  could  be  no 
loDger  stifled.     Cleveland  knew  a  Cardinal's  hat  awaited 

255 


256  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

hini  at  Koine,  and  he  was  still  fascinated  by  the  glittering 
prize.  Ambition,  and  Truth  had  a  fierce  contest  in  his 
breast.  Starting  for  the  pontifical  city,  he  suddenly  took 
a  different  direction.  He  explored  London.  He  flew 
over  England.  He  visited  Scotland.  He  darted  across 
to  Ireland.  He  went  to  Paris.  He  made  a  rapid  survey 
of  the  Alhambra.  He  stood  on  the  Alps.  Approaching 
Eome,  he  saw  in  the  distance,  the  dome  of  St.  Peter's. 
Then  lingering  for  days  in  view  of  the  eternal  city,  he  ca- 
priciously crossed  the  Mediterranean,  ascended  the  Pyra- 
mids, and  hastened  to  Jerusalem,  to  Constantinople, 
to  Athens,  to  Venice,  to  Florence.  Finally  he  darted 
away  to  St.  Petersburg,  and  Moscow,  and  was  once  just 
about  embarking  on  a  voyage  to  Calcutta,  and  Pekin. 
He  resembled  a  ship  in  the  counter  currents  of  a  whirpool, 
now  nearing  the  vortex,  and  on  the  verge  of  wreck,  then 
borne  in  an  opposite  direction,  crossing,  and  tossing,  until 
at  last,  drawn  within  the  fatal  circle,  it  .sinks  in  the  sea 
forever. 

When  Cleveland  finally  entered  the  pontifical  metrop- 
olis, he  was  graciously  received  by  his  Holiness  and 
assigned  an  apartment  in  the  Vatican.  The  scarlet  hat 
was  soon  about  his  head ;  a  diamond  cross  flashed  over  his 
breast ;  jewels  sparkled  from  his  fingers ;  his  splendid 
vestments  were  unusually  becoming,  and  imparted  to  his 
person  a  noble  Eoman  dignity.  As  he  mingled  in  the 
magnificent  service  of  St.  Peter's,  he  felt  that  his  ambitious 
dreams  were  realized  to  an  extent  he  had  never  even  con- 
ceived. But  vain  the  artistic  wealth  of  heaven  to  satisfy 
immortal  man.  In  such  a  mental  state,  amid  celestial 
light  and  angelic  worship,  he  would  have  found  only 
gloom  and  discord.  Indeed,  the  Papacy  had  become  in 
every  aspect,  hateful  to  his  heart,  and  the  brilliance  only 


THE    AMERICAN    CARDINAL.  257 

increased  the  disgust.  He  considered  himself  in  a  state 
of  gilded  imprisonment,  and  his  aroused  Saxon  nature, 
resolved  to  burst  its  bonds.  To  his  surprise,  he  had  found 
Bishop  Frances  in  an  adjoining  room  of  the  palace,  and 
the  old  fascination  was  again  casting  its  spell  over  Cleve- 
land. They  explored  together  the  galleries  of  the  Vati- 
can. They  wandered  through  St.  Peter's,  from  colonnade 
to  dome.  They  examined  the  catacombs.  Scenes  which 
once  would  have  charmed  Cleveland  to  rapture,  now  only 
made  his  life  seem  more  hoi  Tow,  and  his  position  more 
false.  But  a  crisis  had  arrived  in  his  history.  A  human 
spirit  cannot  long  endure  a  strain  so  unnatural. 

The  Cardinal,  having  been  pacing  his  apartment 
uneasily,  felt  he  could  not  refrain  from  pouring  into  some 
mortal  ear  the  struggles  of  his  heart,  and  obeying  a  sud- 
den impulse,  presented  himself  at  the  door  of  Bishop 
Frances.  Having  rapped,  and  been  requested  to  enter, 
he  took  a  chair,  in  great  agitation.  Abruptly  tearing 
away  his  robe,  and  pointing  to  a  hair-shirt  next  to  his 
skin,  he  exclaimed :  "  Here,  my  friend,  you  behold  what 
has  been  concealed  from  all  eyes.  This  proves  my  desire 
to  believe  the  Papal  Infallibility.  I  have  fasted.  I  have 
prayed.  I  have  scourged  my  flesh.  I  have  labored 
ceaselessly.  I  have  sacrificed  every  earthly  prospect. 
The  faith  I  seek  deludes  me  like  a  phantom.  My  life  is 
a  deceit,  a  sham,  a  lie.  Proximity  to  the  Pope  has  only 
revealed  his  mortal  frailties,  and  made  belief  more  diffi- 
cult. He  shows  for  a  supernatural  gift  no  supernatural 
attestation.  Before  the  altars  of  Heaven  I  stand  a 
hypocrite.  Rather  amid  these  splendid  ceremonies  I  seem 
a  darkening  devil.  In  the  presence  of  his  Holiness  my 
Saxon  blood  burns  in  protest  against  Italian  rule.  I  can 
22* 


258  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

endure  my  agonies  no  longer.     I  make  my  confession.     I 
beg  your  nierey." 

While  Cleveland  uttered  these  words,  he  held  out  his 
hands  toward  Frances  with  an  expression  of  supplicating 
impotence  which  told  his  helplessness,  and  his  despair. 
For  a  moment  the  Bishop  scowled  on  his  convert  in  in- 
tense disgust.  Scorn  curled  on  his  lip,  and  curved  in  his 
nostril.  His  eye  gleamed  with  a  snaky  lustre,  and  his 
countenance  was  frightful.  However,  suppressing  his 
passion,  his  better  nature  triumphed,  and  he  replied  with 
the  most  steady  calmness :  "  Your  Eminence  speaks  of 
impossibilities.  Go  back  to  my  chapel !  Behold  your- 
self prostrate  before  the  image  of  Saint  Loyola !  Recall 
your  oath  of  perpetual  allegiance  to  the  order  of  Jesus, 
and  the  person  of  his  Holiness  !  Remember  those  awful 
imprecations  on  apostacy !  Your  vow  is  an  impassable 
chasm  between  you  and  secession  from  the  Church  to 
which  you  are  forever  consecrated." 

"Is  there  no  hope?"  burst  forth  Cleveland.  "Have 
not  the  miseries  of  years  cancelled  the  mistake  of  an 
hour  ?  Cursed  be  that  fatal  impulse !  I  have  sacrificed 
my  wife,  my  child,  my  home,  myself,  in  the  pursuit  of  a 
shadow.  After  perverting  others,  I  am  a  dupe  myself." 
Here  the  sufferer  wrung  his  hands  in  his  anguish,  and 
lifted  up  to  Heaven  a  face  traced  with  remorse  and 
despair. 

Bishop  Frances  felt  his  heart  touched  with  sympathy. 
His  craft  and  severity  were  rather  from  his  system  than 
his  soul.  Deep  in  the  iron  of  his  nature  was  a  spring  of 
pity.  He  answered  kindly:  "Your  Eminence  must 
remember  the  act  and  the  responsibility  are  your  own. 
You  sent  to  me  requesting  an  interview.  You  invited 
me  to  your  house,  and  sought  me  in  my  own.     You  im- 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  259 

portuned  for  a  dispensation.  You  have  received  unde- 
served, and  unexampled  honor.  Your  apostacy  would 
ruin  me,  shake  your  converts,  disgrace  the  Church,  and 
even  cloud  the  infallibility  of  its  Head."  Then  drawing 
nearer  the  wretched  victim  of  his  delusion,  and  fixino-  on 
him  an  eye  which  gleamed  through  his  very  soul,  he 
added  in  a  tone  expressing  his  own  imperious  will :  "  I 
say  once,  and  forever,  no  such  treason  will  ever  be  per- 
mitted by  our  Order." 

When  Cleveland  heard  these  words  he  writhed,  and 
began  a  shriek  which  he  subdued  into  a  groan.  The 
horror  and  peril  of  his  position  were  revealed.  He  per- 
ceived why  his  instincts  had  recoiled  from  an  entrance 
into  Eome,  and  that  he  had  entangled  himself  in  a  glitter- 
ing snare  from  which  there  seemed  no  escape.  He  was  in 
the  Vatican,  watched  by  Jesuit  eyes,  surrounded  by  Jesuit 
ears,  fed  by  Jesuit  hands,  guarded  by  Jesuit  power. 
Every  pass  and  avenue  from  Rome  was  controlled  by  a 
relentless  devotee  to  whom  in  one  excited  moment  he  had 
professed  faith  in  the  Papacy,  and  in  another  moment  con- 
fessed his  renunciation  of  its  claims.  He  rose  from  his 
seat.  He  fell  on  his  knees.  He  stretched  out  his  hands 
in  entreaty,  and  cried: 

"  Beg,  oh,  beg  your  Order  to  have  mercy !  Ask  mercy 
from  the  Pope !     Implore  of  Heaven  mercy!" 

The  abjectness  of  the  tone  and  posture  aroused  the  con- 
tempt of  the  Bishop.  He  replied  with  withering  scorn, 
"  Possibly,  your  Eminence,  these  struggles  in  the  Vatican 
have  the  same  cause  as  those  in  America.  You  are  aware 
that  Mrs.  Cleveland  and  your  daughter  are  in  Rome." 

These  words  transformed  the  Cardinal.  They  appeared 
to  dart  fire  through  his  veins.  His  face  seemed  glowing 
with  flame.    He  started  from  his  knees  with  a  fury  utterly 


260  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

foreign  to  his  gentle  nature.  Perhaps  indeed  for  the  first 
time  his  slumbering  manhood  was  truly  awake.  Forget- 
ful of  himself  and  propriety,  he  flung  himself  on  Frances, 
and  clutched  his  throat,  and  cried,  "  By  heavens !  Bishop, 
you  lie  !  I  knew  they  were  in  Europe,  but  had  not  heard 
they  were  in  Koine.  You  shall  never  falsify  my  motives, 
and  stain  me  with  such  suspicions." 

Frances  calmly  unloosed  the  Cardinal's  grasp,  and  re- 
plied with  the  most  provoking  deliberation,  "  Violence 
is  unbecoming  alike  to  yourself,  and  to  your  office.  There 
is  no  escape.  I  have  one  single  request.  Promise  me 
that  before  you  disgrace  the  Church  by  an  attempted 
apostacy,  you  will  attend  her  services  in  the  Sistine 
Chapel  during  Easter,  that  in  the  interval  you  will  not 
seek  to  visit  your  family,  and  that  you  will  meet  me  in 
this  apartment  within  an  hour  after  the  illumination  of 
St.  Peter's." 

Subdued  by  the  tone  and  manner  of  Frances,  and 
sincerely  ashamed  of  his  rude  violence,  Cleveland  an- 
swered mildly,  and  penitently,  "  Pardon,  Bishop,  the 
impulse  of  my  desperation.  As  my  situation  is  the  result 
of  errors  reaching  through  years,  hasty  action  should  be 
avoided.  I  have  learned  by  experience  the  necessity  of 
reflection.  As  I  wish  neither  to  injure  you  nor  the  Church, 
I  give  the  pledge  you  ask,  although  I  imperfectly  under- 
stand your  motive  in  desiring  it."  Having  spoken  these 
words  the  Cardinal  bowed,  and  left  the  room.  Returning 
to  his  own,  he  flung  himself  on  his  bed  in  a  tumult  of 
fear,  remorse,  mortification,  and  despair. 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 

AMERICANISMS  IN  A  ROMAN   PALACE. 

"Girls  before  I  explore  Europe,  I  wish  to  understand 
Eome,  said  Edward  Ellingwood  to  Mary  and  Anna  as 
they  sat  together  in  the  drawing-room  of  their  palace  ex- 
pecting two  gentlemen  they  had  invited  to    spend    the 


evening. 


Understand  Eome V  cried  Mary  with  her  old  bright 
laugh     «  That  I  fear  proclaims  the  neophyte.     I  presume 
Pio^ono  is  scarcely  yet  familiar  with  his  own  Capital 
l)o  you  mean  Eome  ancient,  modern,  political,  or  eccle- 
siastical ?" 

"Ah!  sister  you  are  just  as  incorrigible  in  Europe  as 
America,  replied  Ellingwood.  "You  have  no  more 
respect  for  the  General  than  you  had  for  Ned." 

"Now  Edward,  I  shall  fly  to  your  support,  and  save 
you  from  Mary's  shafts,"  said  Anna.  "And  here  comes 
Mrs.  Cleveland!  Beneath  our  banner  rest  secure !  If  we 
fail,  the  Judge  and  my  uncle  approach,  and  together  we 
can  defend  ourselves."  ' 

While  Anna  was  speaking,  those  two  venerable  gentle- 
men entered  the  room,  one  on  either  side  of  Mrs.  Cleve- 
land, and  discussing,  as  usual,  American  unity  and  Papal 
usurpation.  But  before  the  party  had  time  to  pursue  the 
conversation,  there  was  a  rattle  of  wheels  before  the  door, 
and  Mr.  Fortescue  and  Mr.  Percivale,  were  announced, 
boon  all  the  persons  present  were  standing  together  in  a 
group,  and  the  buzz  of  busy  talkers  was  heard  in  every 

261 


262  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

part  of  the  room,  whose  old  splendors  assumed  youthful 
brilliance  in  the  light  of  a  superb  chandelier. 

J  udge  Ellingwood  attracted  to  himself  all  eyes  and  ears, 
as  he  remarked :  "  Nothing  has  more  impressed  me  in  Rome, 
than  the  fact,  that  it  is  so  absolutely  a  growth  from  the 
past,  and  yet  so  entirely  itself  in  the  present.  The  Italian 
springs  from  the  Latin,  and  is  another  language.  The 
ancient  and  modern  people  are  the  same  and  different. 
The  Carnival  has  succeeded  the  Saturnalia  with  vast 
modifications.  The  worship  of  gods  gives  place  to  the 
worship  of  saints.  How  contrasted  the  Coliseum  and  St. 
Peter's!  Yet  the  one  represents  the  domination  of  old 
Rome  by  the  soldier,  and  the  other  the  sway  of  new  Rome 
by  the  Priest." 

General  Brompton  perceiving  the  Judge  pause,  began 
at  once,  with  his  usual  tact,  by  saying :  "  And  I  am  con- 
stantly reminded  of  the  antagonisms  between  Latin  and 
Saxon.  Rome  and  England  are  significant  types  of 
modern  ideas.  The  former  represents  medievalism  and 
imperialism ;  the  latter,  progress  and  liberty.  Our  Teuton 
ancestors  first  conquered  Rome,  and  their  children  will 
over-master  these  Italians.  Hence,  I  derive  hope  that 
the  Pope  will  never  sway  America." 

"While  the  General  was  speaking,  Dr.  Elton  had  joined 
the  circle,  and  his  son  came  immediately  after  with  Ada 
Cleveland  glowing  on  his  arm,  in  all  the  freshness  of 
American  youth  and  beauty.  They  had  arrived  a  few 
days  before,  and  as  this  was  their  first  appearance  in  com- 
pany, all  eyes  turned  admiringly  on  the  blooming  girl. 

The  old  Clergyman  had  caught  the  tenor  of  General 
Brompton's  remarks,  and  to  prevent  interruption  in  the 
conversation,  said  gaily,  "  Pardon  the  garrulousness  of  my 
age,  and  office !    These  young  people  recall  our  visit,  with 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  263 

Jumbo  as  our  guide,  to  the  Catacombs,  and  my  subsequent 
exploration  of  the  Lapidarian  Gallery.  I  have  been  en- 
abled to  contrast  the  Church  of  the  Martyrs  with  the 
Church  of  the  Priests.  Not  a  figure,  or  inscription  in 
tomb  or  chapel  indicates  one  peculiarity  of  the  Papacy. 
Every  monument  below  is  a  protest  against  every  innova- 
tion above.  Spiritually,  yet  literally,  Day  is  Night,  and 
Night  is  Day." 

"  Yet,"  continued  Mr.  Fortescue,  "  in  despite  of  their 
darkness,  while  taxed  by  Priests  in  every  imaginable  way, 
to  support  the  magnificence  of  St.  Peter's,  and  the  luxuri- 
ousness  of  the  Vatican,  and  all  the  expensive  splendors  of 
Bishop,  Cardinal,  and  Pope,  the  Italians  are  a  joyous 
people.  Brilliant  skies,  gay  temperaments,  and  Church 
festivals  promote  a  cheerfulness  exaction,  and  superstition 
cannot  suppress.  Even  labor  is  a  species  of  carnival. 
Toil  beneath  the  sun  is  forgotten  in  song  and  dance  under 
the  moon.  The  gleaming  costumes,  the  jangling  tambou- 
rines, the  lively  motions  make  an  indescribable  picture. 
Contrast  our  grave  American  harvesters  with  the  gay  com- 
panies in  the  Piazza  Montanara !  Carts  in  bright  colors ! 
Garlands  of  laurel,  and  box !  Necks,  yokes,  and  horns  of 
oxen  in  ribbons  and  flowers !  Song,  pipe,  laughter  through 
the  gates,  and  over  the  campagna  to  the  very  field  !  There 
Judge,  and  General  is  a  social  problem  hard  to  solve." 

"Yes,  and  the  more  we  see  of  Rome  the  more  difficult 
to  understand  Rome,"  interposed  Mr.  Percivale,  a  cele- 
brated American  artist. 

Here  Anna  and  Mary  cast  mischievous  glances  at  Ed- 
ward, who  smiled  in  return,  as  they  recalled  his  rather 
large  undertaking  recorded  in  the  first  sentences  of  this 
chapter.  But  the  amused  girls,  and  Ellingwood  himself, 
were  soon  fixed  in  their  attention  to  Mr.  Percivale,  as  he 


264  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

proceeded  to  remark,  "I  have  resided  in  this  city  ten  years, 
and  am  more  and  more  struck  every  day  with  the  simi- 
larities and  contrarieties  suggested  by  the  Judge.  They 
especially  pervade  Art.  Corresponding  to  the  Pantheon 
of  old  Rome  we  have  St.  Peter's  of  the  new.  There  is  the 
grace  of  the  Venus,  and  here  is  the  beauty  of  the  Ma- 
donna. The  majesty  of  the  Apollo  is  answered  by  the 
grandeur  of  the  Moses.  The  dying  agonies  in  the  Gladi- 
ator and  the  Laocoon  are  supplanted  by  the  tortures  of 
a  thousand  martyrs.  For  the  Last  Judgment  I  can 
find  neither  contrast,  nor  similitude.  But  I  beg  pardon, 
ladies.  We  have  forfeited  forever  our  American  title  to 
gallantry,  by  compelling  you  into  silence.  Mrs.  Cleveland, 
what  has  most  struck  you  in  Rome  ?" 

That  lady,  remarkable  for  her  intellect,  and  her  culture, 
instantly  answered,  with  a  glow  of  sweet  and  modest 
enthusiasm,  "  The  Campagna !  the  marvellous  Campagna  ! 
I  saw  it  this  morning  from  a  tower  of  the  Capitol.  All  I 
had  seen,  and  all  I  then  saw,  at  once  came  before  me — the 
distant  line  of  the  flashing  sea,  the  sweep  of  the  far  hills, 
the  gleaming  villages,  the  feathery  grasses,  the  numerous 
pines,  the  silent  undulating  plain  resembling  stiffened  sea 
waves,  and  covered  with  green  grass  and  golden  grain,  and 
brilliant  flowers ;  the  picturesque  views  of  villa,  and  ac- 
queduct,  and  tomb,  suggesting  in  their  decay,  that  former 
busy,  buried,  beautiful  life— and  then  the  whole  encircled 
by  azure  mountains,  and  roofed  by  an  Italian  sky !  But 
I  am  ashamed  of  my  tediousness  and  my  boldness.  Mary ! 
Anna !  hasten  to  my  relief.'' 

Mr.  Fortescue,  bowing  with  a  touch  of  the  old  and  for- 
gotten gallantry,  and  somewhat  too  of  its  antiquated  stiff- 
ness, exclaimed,  "  Cannot  Miss  Ellingwood  find  something 
within  Rome  which  exceeds  its  environs  ?    Surely  the  city 


'  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  265 

can  equal  the  Campagna  over  which  there  has  just  been 
shed  so  beautiful  a  glow." 

"  Oh,  the  fountains !  the  fountains !"  cried  Mary,  pas- 
sionately. "  Everywhere,  by  day  and  night,  this  murmur 
of  lapsing  water — now  piling  its  columns  in  the  sun,  now 
waving  its  veil  of  silver  spray  beneath  the  moon,  now 
roaring  in  cascades  into  carved  basins,  now  rolling 
through  grass  and  flowers  into  lakes  where  quivers  the 
blue  of  heaven.  Especially  how  wonderful  the  Triton  of 
Bernini  blowing  pearls  into  the  sky,  or  the  Quirinal  basin 
whose  watery  pillars  crumble  below  the  colossal  forms  of 
Phidias  and  Praxiteles !" 

"  Bravo !  bravo  !"  exclaimed  Mr.  Percivale,  interrupting 
Mary's  apologies,  and  then  making  his  obeisance  to  Miss 
Anna  Austin.  She,  before  he  made  a  request,  to  her  own 
momentary  surprise  and  confusion,  found  herself  kindled 
by  the  animation  of  Mrs.  Cleveland  and  Miss  Ellingwood. 

"  Excuse  my  rusticity,"  she  began,  with  a  fascinating 
sweetness  of  manner,  "  if  I  most  admire  the  flowers  of 
Pome !  Nothing  has  ever  so  enchanted  me  as  the  laurus- 
tinus,  the  wild  pea,  the  clustering  eglantine,  the  splendid 
rose,  the  scented  sweet-briar,  the  bright  bloom  of  the 
orange,  the  odorous  tassel  of  the  locust,  the  purple  of  the 
vine,  and  all  the  mingling  colors  bursting  and  blazing 
over  the  Campagna  when  the  lark  sings  from  his  cloud,  or 
the  nightingale  in  his  thicket." 

Anna  was  saved  from  the  embarrassment  which  would 
have  followed  her  boldness  by  the  appearance  of  some  re- 
freshments beautifully  served  in  glass  and  silver  and  gold 
by  Jim  and  Jumbo. 

After  ices,   and  cake,  and  wine  had  regaled  the  com- 
pany, General  Ellingwood  remarked  playfully  that   he 
had  been  quite  neglected  amid  the  eloquence  of  the  even- 
23 


266  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

ing.  "  I  propose,"  he  said,  "  to  vindicate  my  title  to  atten- 
tion by  a  song,  or,"  he  added,  "  rather  by  two  songs." 

Several  persons  intimated  their  approval  by  exclaiming, 
"  songs !  songs." 

"I  must,  however,  premise,"  resumed  Ellingwood, 
"  that  neither  words  nor  music  are  my  own,  and  to  intro- 
duce the  performer  I  must  make  an  explanation.  After 
the  Ave  Maria,  I  was  enjoying  the  evening  sports  of  the 
Carnival.  Bonbons,  comfits,  and  bouquets  were  still  fly- 
ing and  pelting.  Limepellets  showered  from  window  and 
balcony.  Doctors  and  buffoons  stalked  and  grimaced. 
Guitars  were  thrumming,  and  carriages  clattering,  and 
shouts  ringing.  Then  came  a  cannon-boom.  Dragoons 
clattered  down  the  Corso,  and  clattered  back  again,  and  a 
rope  was  drawn  across.  Horses  soon  appeared,  plunging 
and  rearing,  maddened  by  their  noisy  tinsel  and  pricking 
balls.  When  the  signal  was  given  and  the  rope  removed, 
imagine  my  dismay  when  I  saw  Jim  leap  on  a  horse,  and 
standing  on  his  back,  rush  along  the  Corso  and  win  the 
race,  amid  the  wild  shouts  of  the  populace.  He  then  had 
the  effrontery  to  sing  a  song,  which  made  those  Italians- 
scream  with  delight.  Here  comes  the  impudent  fellow  to 
answer  for  himself." 

Evidently  by  a  preconcerted  arrangement  with  General 
Ellingwood,  Jim  bowing,  and  scraping,  and  grinning, 
began  : 

Does  ye'se   know  whar  de  orange  bloom 

And  whar  de  suga  grow  ? 
Dar's  de  gal  in  dat  cabin-room — 

Dis  nigga  lub  her  so, 
Oho !  oho  ! 


Her  cheek  am  black  as  am  de  night ; 
Her  eyes  like  staus  dey  glow  ; 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  267 

Her  lips  am  red,  her  teeth  am  white — 
Dis  nigga  lub  her  so, 

Oho ! oho ! 
Dis  nigga  lub  her  so. 

De  sunny  Souf !  dar  Cactus  flush; 

Dar  'nolia  blossoms  blow, 
And  dar  my  big-eyed  Ginny  blush— 

Dis  nigga  lub  her  so; 
Oho!  oho! 

Dis  nigga  lub  her  so.  • 

As  Jim  retired  amid  the  evident  surprise  and  pleasure 
of  the  company,  General  Ellingwood,  said  "  My  design 
was  not  wholly  to  amuse.  After  discussing  the  art  of 
Rome  I  wanted  to  show  you  the  genius  of  Africa.  In 
the  tone  and  sentiment  and  style  of  the  negro  there  is 
something  at  once  amusing,  plaintive  and  picturesque. 
You  are  all  more  familiar  than  myself  with  the  Piazza 
del  Popolo  where  radiate  the  Babuino,  the  Ripetta,  and 
the  Corso.  I  could  become  enthusiastic  as  these  ladie3 
should  I  describe  the  terraced  Pincio,  the  Dacian  cap- 
tives, the  Egyptian  obelisk  with  its  couchant  spouting 
lions,  whose  graceful  shaft,  no  longer  towering  over  the 
Pharaohs,  now  moves  around  its  shadow  in  the  moon 
amid  the  laughing  crowds  of  modern  Rome.  Ah !  you 
begin  to  smile.  I  proceed  to  my  story.  Last  August  I 
went  to  see  the  Gatta  Sieca.  Six  persons  were  blind- 
folded, and  whirled  around  before  starting.  The  first  fell 
sprawling  into  a  fountain.  The  second  came  straight 
back  to  the  obelisk.  The  third  marched  towards  the 
Pincio.  The  fourth  almost  gained  the  prize  when  he 
stumbled,  and  was  unable  to  rise.  The  fifth  after  circling 
about  struck  his  head  on  the  lion  where  he  started.  The 
sixth,  with   occasional   pauses,  and  hesitations,  went  di- 


268  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

rectly  towards  the  Corso,  where  Jim  stood  shouting  in 
genuine  negro  style. 

When  the  bandage  was  removed,  and  I  saw  Jumbo 
beside  his  jubilant  son,  I  perceived  that  the  African  had 
outwitted  the  Italian.  Then  succeeded  such  a  song  as 
old  Koine  never  heard,  and  new  Kome  will  never  hear 
again. 

The  people  did  not  understand  a  single  word,  and  yet 
the  plaintive  music  of  the  negro  in  a  moment  changed 
the  yells  of  the  crowd  into  tears." 

Jumbo  here  entered,  dressed  as  a  respectable  house- 
servant,  and  well  instructed  in  the  part  he  was  to  perform. 
The  inevitable  grin  had  disappeared  from  the  face  of  the 
old  man,  and  he  bowed  with  a  solemn  gravity.  His  whole 
manner  was  inimitably  sad,  when  putting  forward  his 
right  foot,  throwing  back  his  person,  resting  his  hands  on 
his  hips,  and  rolling  his  eyes  heavenward,  he  sang  as 
follows : 

Hab  ye  been  wha  de  cypress-vine 

Hang  down  de  leabs? 
Dar  wba  de  branches  bend,  and  twine, 
Dar  Jumbo  griebs. 

Wby,  why,  why, 
He  so  cry  ? 
Cause  in  de  groun'  bis  ole  Nell  lie. 

Nell  be  lub,  wben  a  gal  wa  Nellj 

Now  Nell  am  dead ; 
Hear  de  toll  ob  de  berryin'  bell ! 
Joy,  joy,  am  fled. 

Why,  wby,  why, 
He  so  cry  ? 
Cause  in  de  groun'  his  ole  Nell  lie. 

But  in  Hebben  de  ole  Nell  smile 
On  dat  bright  shore; 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  269 

Dar  Jumbo  go  after  awhile  I 
He  die  no  more. 

"Why,  why,  why, 
He  no  cry.' 
Cause  to  do  Laud  his  ole  Nell  fly. 

The  company  were  melted  into  tears.  It  was  ac- 
knowledged that  the  vivacity  of  Jim,  and  the  pathos  of 
Jumbo,  produced  effects  unattainable  by  the  most  polished 
culture,  where  there  was  no  native  genius. 

Not  long  after  the  scenes  of  this  singular  evening,  the 
same  persons  assembled  in  the  Protestant  chapel,  which 
was  most  charmingly  decorated  with  the  choicest  Italian 
flowers.  Dr.  Elton  was  on  the  chancel  in  his  surplice, 
holding  his  Prayer  Book.  '  Before  him  stood  Edward 
Ellingwood  and  Anna  Austin,  whose  marriage  excited 
peculiar  interest,  as  indicating  the  heart-union  of  North 
and  South,  under  the  same  old  stars  of  beauty  and  glory. 
The  service  was  said  with  an  affectionate  solemnity,  made 
impressive  by  the  gathering  shadows  of  an  exquisite 
Italian  evening.  That  star  which  had  looked  so  aus- 
piciously on  the  vow,  now  smiled  brightly  on  its  con- 
summation. No  congratulations  could  have  been  more 
joyous.  Judge  Ellingwood  and  General  Brompton  were 
specially  radiant,  and  read  in  the  event  hope  for  their 
common  country.  After  the  party  dispersed  from  the 
chapel,  they  assembled  at  a  later  hour  in  a  grand  Eoman 
palace.  The  edifice  was  in  the  noblest  style  of  old  Italian 
art.  Pictures  and  statues  from  the  masters  were  on  its 
walls,  and  along  its  halls.  The  tapestried  drawing-room 
blazed  with  lamps,  and  flashed  with  mirrors.  Jewels 
worn  in  the  days  of  Caesars  and  Constantines  sparkled  on 
the  fingers,  and  breasts,  and  brows  of  Italian  ladies.  The 
high  position  of  Judge  Ellingwood,  and  General  Brorup- 
~2o* 


270  t  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

ton,  attracted  a  brilliant  company.  Even  the  scarlet  of 
a  Cardinal,  and  the  coronet  of  a  Duke  were  not  wanting 
to  the  scene.  Nothing  could  exceed  the  excellence  of  the 
music  and  the  exhilaration  of  the  dance. 

After  a  pause  in  the  Tarantella,  young  Elton  and  Miss 
Cleveland,  dressed  as  peasants,  the  latter  tambourine  in 
hand,  entered  for  the  Saltarello.  Ada  was  superb  in  her 
beauty,  and  her  gay  attire  gave  the  brightest  charm  to 
her  face,  and  her  person.  The  young  gentleman  did  not 
sink  the  dignity  of  the  clergyman  in  the  gaiety  of  the 
dancer.  He  and  Ada  wheeled  around  each  other  in  rapid 
circles,  balancing  their  hands,  and  imitating  every  attitude 
and  motion  of  peasants  as  if  they  had  been  born  amid 
the  vineyards  of  Italy.  The  lady  flung  her  tambourine 
gracefully  around  her  head,  and  Mr.  Elton  knelt  before 
her  with  an  expression  of  love  too  natural  not  to  be  real. 
The  happy  company  separated  at  a  late  hour.  General 
Brompton,  Edward,  and  Anna  Ellingwood,  Dr.  Elton, 
his  son,  and  Miss  Ada  Cleveland,  attended  by  Jim,  left 
immediately  in  the  train  on  their  way  to  Athens  and 
Constantinople.  They  visited  Egypt  and  Palestine,  and 
then  Calcutta  and  Jeddo,  returning  through  California  to 
New  York,  and  Willow-Shade. 


CHAPTER   XXXIII. 

JUMBO   IN   THE   VATICAN. 

It  wa3  his  advancing  age  which  prevented  Judge 
Ellingwood  from  accompanying  the  wedding  party.  Mrs. 
Cleveland  and  Miss  Mary  remained  with  him,  and  Jumbo 
was  kindly  left  by  General  Brompton,  not  only  on  account 
of  his  qualifications  as  a  servant,  but  his  marvellous 
aquaintance  with  Rome.  Although  quite  old,  he  had  an 
instinctive  sympathy  with  Italian  ways,  and  seemed  born 
for  the  eternal  city.  After  the  carnival  frolics,  with  the 
Lenten  season,  an  unusual  solemnity  settled  over  our 
Roman  household.  A  shadow  was  evidently  on  Mrs. 
Cleveland.  Mary  found  her  one  day  pacing  the  library 
in  an  agony. 

"What,  what,  my  friend,"  she  cried,  "has  thus  dis- 
turbed your  peace  ?  Surely  you  can  confide  to  my  ear 
any  grief." 

Mrs.  Cleveland  paused.  An  angelic  serenity  suddenly 
overspread  her  face.  She  exclaimed:  "Oh,  Mary,  the 
struggle  has  been  severe,  but  I  trust  I  have  conquered.  I 
will  tell  you  my  secret.     I  have  seen  Mr.  Cleveland." 

"Mr.  Cleveland!"  Since  you  left  the  Russia?  In 
Rome  ?  When  ?  where  ?  or  do  you  dream  ?"  inquired 
Mary,  holding  up  her  hands,  and  expressing  in  her  coun- 
tenance the  utmost  surprise  and  curiosity. 

"  Xo  !  no  !"  she  answered.  "  It  is  true  !  sadly,  fearfully, 
terribly  true !"  Here  her  struggles  were  returning,  and 
she  seated  herself  on  the  sofa,  making   every  possible 

271 


272  THE    AMERICAN    CARDINAL. 

effort  to  preserve  her  tranquility.  Having  recovered  her 
composure,  Mrs.  Cleveland  looked  through  her  tears,  an$ 
said :  "  Be  seated,  and  I  will  tell  you  all  that  has  hap- 
pened." Mary  took  her  place  on  the  sofa  beside  her 
friend,  and  Mrs.  Cleveland  resumed :  "  I  was  at  a  window 
above  the  Corso,  to  witness  the  carnival.  In  the  height 
of  the  frolic  a  mask  appeared,  representing  an  ancient 
knight,  and  to  the  confusion  of  the  wearer  suddenly  fell 
from  his  face.  It  was  instantly  replaced.  A  single 
glance,  however,  was  sufficient  to  show  Mr.  Cleveland. 
You  may  imagine  my  agitation,  especially  after  our 
proximity  on  the  America." 

"  Have  you  ascertained,"  asked  Mary,  "  where  he  lives  ? 
What  can  be  his  errand  at  Rome !" 

"  I  have  learned,  through  the  American  Minister,  that 
he  is  in  the  Vatican,  and  has  a  Cardinal's  hat." 

"  Marvellous !  marvellous !"  burst  forth  Mary.  "  Heaven 
has  some  deep  design  in  your  history." 

"  Nor  is  this  all,"  continued  Mrs.  Cleveland.  "  I  have 
seen  this  morning,  in  the  Civilta,  an  advertisement  for  a 
servant,  signed  by  his  initials,  and  stating  where  further 
information  will  be  given." 

"How  strangely  your  paths  touch,  and  separate!" 
exclaimed  Miss  Ellingwood.  "  You  resemble  two  vessels 
on  an  ocean,  each  crossing  and  recrossing  the  track  of  the 
other,  now  nearing,  now  parting.  Possibly  you  may  yet 
voyage  together  towards  the  eternal  sea." 

"  He  will  be  saved,  Mary,"  answered  the  heroic  wife. 
"  How  I  leave  to  the  wisdom  of  our  great  Father.  Do 
you  think  me  liable  to  whims  ?" 

Mary  smiled  and  replied :  "  "Whims !  The  last  thing 
conceivable  !  If  your  sympathies  are  easily  moved  like 
the  branches  of  the  tree,  your  principles  resemble   the 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  273 

sturdy  trunk."  Then  rising;  and  standing  before  her  friend 
with  a  countenance  of  glowing  admiration,  she  added : 
"  Your  faith  is  sublime !  Your  purpose  is  sublime !  Your 
heroism  is  sublime !" 

Mrs.  Cleveland,  deeply  affected,  said:  "Mary,  your 
friendship  is  my  greatest  comfort,  and  what  buds  on  earth 
will,  I  trust,  bloom  in  glory.  I  am  now  encouraged  to 
make  a  request  I  feared  you  might  deem  both  selfish  and 
singular.  A  strong  desire  pursues  me  that  Jumbo  should 
apply  for  this  situation.  It  is  so  constant,  and  so  intense, 
that  I  must  believe  it  from  above." 

"  Certainly,"  returned  Miss  Ellingwood,  "  certainly.  I 
can  answer  both  fbr  papa,  and  myself.  Such  an  arrange- 
ment appears  most  desirable."  Then  with  a  beam  on  her 
face  from  her  joyous  heart,  she  added :  "  How  funny  to 
have  a  living  link  of  connection  between  the  house  of  a 
Congregational  Elder  and  the  palace  of  Pio  Nino !" 

Judge  Ellingwood  was  immediately  consulted,  and 
cordially  consented  to  the  plan.  Soon  after,  Jumbo  made 
application  to  the  Cardinal,  who  was  delighted  to  see  once 
more,  the  honest  face  of  the  noble  old  negro.  He  per- 
ceived at  a  glance,  how  important  he  might  be  to  the 
consummation  of  schemes,  rapidly  assuming  a  definite 
shape.  Jumbo  had  a  small  room  prepared  for  him  adjoin- 
ing the  splendid  apartment  of  the  Cardinal,  and  commu- 
nicating with  it  by  a  door  at  the  end  of  a  narrow  passage. 

One  day  his  eminence  was  sitting  at  his  window  looking 
from  the  Vatican,  towards  St.  Peter's,  when  he  said  to  his 
servant :  "  I  little  thought,  Jumbo,  when  you  waited  on 
me  at  Sea-Side,  you  would  ever  be  with  me  in  Rome." 

"De  Laud,"  replied  the  negro,  turning  toward  him, 
rolling  his  eyes,  and  a  solemn  countenance,  "hab  quar 
ways.     He  reserb  for  you  de  robe  and  de  tippet,  and  de 


274  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

hat,  and  de  gold,  and  de  scarlet,  and  dis  room  in  de  Pope- 
palas." 

"  But  you,  Jumbo,  are  much  the  same  in  Italy,  as  in 
America." 

"  De  same,  your  eminens,  and  not  'zactly  de  same." 

"  What  do  you  mean  ?"  inquired  the  Cardinal. 

"  I'se  de  same  in  de  flesh ;  de  same  wool  grow  on  de 
smoove  head;  de  same  skin  am  on  de  ole  face;  de  same 
limp  knee  Tiga  kick  lame ;  de  same  outside,  massa ;  but 
not  de  same  in  de  heart."  And  Jumbo  significantly 
striking  his  heart  with  his  right  hand,  closed  his  eyes  in 
pious  gratitude. 

"  And  how  and  when  did  this  all  occur  ?"  asked  the 
Cardinal. 

"  Tore  my  Nell  shut  her  eyes,  and  go  unda  de  cypress, 
she  send  up  prars  to  de  hebben  like  de  incense  ob  de 
Preese  swung  in  de  sweet  clouds  ober  de  alta,  and  dey 
come  down  from  de  trone  just  afore  we  left  Sea-Side,  in 
convartin'  power,  when  our  Mefdist  Parson,  Joe,  he 
preach,  and  all  de  niggas  shout  and  jump,  and  sing,  wid 
dar  faces  shinin'  in  de  light,  streamin'  from  de  udder 
wuld." 

"And  may  I  ask/'  said  the  Cardinal,  more  interested 
by  the  simple  recital,  than  he  chose  to  admit,  even  to 
himself,  "  what  is  the  difference  between  what  you  were 
and  what  you  are?" 

"Berry  great!  answered  Jumbo,  reverently,  "Berry 
great!  Wuns  dis  nigga  swar  and  cuss,  and  lie  and  git 
mad,  and  steal  massa's  tings  and  tiuk  no  harm.  Now  he 
pray  ;  he  read  de  Bibul ;  he  trust  de  Laud's  death  on  de 
cross,  and  lub  de  Laud,  and  sarv  de  Laud,  and  hope  see 
de  Laud  on  His  trone,  and  be  like  de  Laud,  and  be  wid 
de  angels,  and  de  saints,  bright  and  shinin',  and  glitterin' 


THE  AMERICAN  CAEDIXAL.  275 

as  cle  sun,  and  to  fly  on  de  wings  ob  light,  and  wabe  de 

palm,  and  sing  de  song,  and  hab  de  harp,  and  see  ole 
Nell,  and  talk  wid  her,  and  lub  her  foreva  in  dat  glory 
ob  de  hebbenly  wuld." 

While  Jumbo  talked,  his  face  glowed  with  a  preter- 
natural lustre.  His  voice  became  musically  soft,  and 
melting,  a  tear  gathered  in  his  eye,  and  a  celestial  meek- 
ness shed  over  his  black,  wrinkled  face,  an  unearthly 
charm.  Cleveland's  reddened  lids  showed  his  sympathetic 
interest.  After  a  moment's  pause,  the  Cardinal  inquired  : 
"  And  how  do  you  like  Rome,  Jumbo,  and  all  the 
splendid  ceremonies  of  its  churches?" 

"  Gran'!  'nif'cent !  gloryus ! — de  lights,  de  incens',  de 
music,  de  colas,  de  pillas,  de  windas,  de  pictas,  de  auches ! 
Dat  Saint  Peta's  standin'  like  de  dome  ob  Hebben!  but, 
but,"  hesitated  Jumbo. 

"  Do  not  be  afraid,"  interposed  the  Cardinal,  "  tell  me 
just  what  is  in  your  mind." 

Thus  encouraged  the  veteran  negro  proceeded.  "  Dey 
'senible,  'cordis  to  my  idees,  de  'Merican  woods  in  de 
Autum — den  dey  be  all  cubbered  wid  glory — red,  green, 
yaller  on  de  hills  like  de  robes  ob  angels !  But  "  he  con- 
tinued shaking  his  head  mournfully,  and  significantly, 
"  dose  same  leabs  dazzlin  in  de  sun  hab  de  chill  ob  death, 
and  so  to  dis  nigga's  heart  dese  big  churchas — bright  to 
de  eye  ob  de  flesh,  Massa  Card'nal,  but  to  de  eye  ob  de 
sperit  radder,  when  de  leabs  fall,  like  de  snow  glitterin', 
but  freezin  on  de  mountains  ob  ole  Yirginny."  The  con- 
versation was  here  interrupted,  but  the  simple  old  African 
had  unconsciously  expressed  the  exact  experiences  of  his 
disappointed  master. 

Perhaps  we  should  not  conclude  this  chapter  without 
for  one  moment  explaining  a  circumstance  described  by 


276  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

Mrs.  Cleveland  near  its  beginning.  After  his  interview 
with  Bishop  Frances  the  Cardinal  felt  a  resistless  impulse 
to  forget  his  sorrows  in  the  frantic  fun  of  the  Carnival. 
The  genius  of  these  Christian  Saturnalia  completely 
possessed  his  mind.  Under  the  cover  of  a  mask  he  had 
mingled  in  all  the  frolics  of  the  Corso,  and  was  seen  by 
his  wife  as  we  have  already  related.  The  recognition  wa3 
mutual.  A  pale,  sad,  lovely  face  was  never  again  absent 
from  his  thoughts.  But  another  image  also  entered  his 
soul.  Ada  stood  laughing  beside  her  mother  radiant  with 
a  splendid  beauty. 

The  Cardinal  returned  to  his  lonely  chamber  in  the 
Vatican  oppressed  with  gloom.  Before  him  rose  his 
home.  He  saw  the  house,  the  lawn,  the  piazza,  the 
library,  the  trees,  the  walks — nay,  every  shrub  and  flower, 
and  leaf  seemed  photographed  on  his  memory.  In  his 
sleep  he  would  cry  and  reach  out  his  arms,  and  embrace 
his  wife,  and  kiss  his  daughter  in  his  old  study  with  its 
old  furniture  amid  the  old  books.  Once  he  shrieked  as 
he  found  himself  clasping  shadows  which  vanished  from 
his  breast.  Then  his  house  was  changed  into  a  palace. 
He  dreamed  that  it  was  lifted  by  angels  into  the  air,  and 
transported  to  the  radiancy  of  a  celestial  light. 


CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

LIGHT   FROM   ST.  PETER'S   RELEASE   FROM   A   PROMISE. 

Lent  drew  around  Mrs.  Cleveland  a  deepening  gloom. 
The  lights  which  flashed,  and  waved  on  the  Corso  had 
been  extinguished.  From  window,  and  balcony  there 
was  no  more  streaming  brilliance  over  a  rushing,  laugh- 
ing, shouting  crowd.  The  frolic  has  ended.  The  masks 
have  vanished.  The  theatres  are  closed.  Solemn  Priests 
are  making  their  annual  visits.  Tinkling  bells,  and  shrill 
chants  from  boys  in  shabby  church-robes,  are  heard  along 
the  streets,  as  the  youthful  devotees  march  behind  the 
black  cross  calling  the  children  to  catechism.  Processions 
of  ecclesiastics  have  begun,  preceded  by  music,  and  fol- 
lowed by  lanterns,  and  soldiers,  and  the  gonfalon  of  the 
Virgin,  and  the  great  wooden  cross  with  its  garlands  of 
ivy  shaking,  and  gleaming  in  the  torches. 

Shut  away  from  these  strange  scenes  without,  Mrs 
Cleveland  and  Mary  Ellingwood  are  conversing  in  the 
parlor,  while  the  Judge,  overcome  with  fatigue,  lies  dozing 
on  the  sofa.  Old  tapestries  with  faded  figures,  and 
dimmed  splendors,  are  looking  from  the  walls,  and  the 
lamp  hangs  low,  and  burns  uncertainly. 

"  Mary,  I  have  another  secret  for  you,"  began  Mrs. 
Cleveland. 

"  And  have  you  not  always  a  friendly  ear  for  your  sor- 
rows ?"  asked  Miss  Ellingwood,  with  an  attempted  smile. 

"  Always  i  always  !  I  thank  Heaven  for  your  sympa- 
24  277 


278  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

thy,  and  the  Judge's  protection.  Without  you,  how  help- 
less and  how  desolate  would  I  be  in  this  city  of  Priests  !" 

"  The  reason  of  my  feeling  is  entirely  unknown,"  re- 
plied Mary,  "  and  yet  I  am  strangely  comforted  when  I 
think  that  Jumbo  is  in  the  Vatican." 

"  All  will  soon  be  plain,"  said  Mrs.  Cleveland. 

"  Do  you  know  I  have  been  attendiug  the  service  of  the 
Sistine  Chapel  ?" 

"  I  have  missed  you  again,  and  again,"  answered  Mary, 
"  and  could  not  conjecture  the  cause  of  your  unusual  ab- 
sence. But  I  approve  your  choice.  The  histories  on  those 
walls,  the  marvels  of  the  music,  the  Last  Judgment,  with 
'the  grandeur  of  its  forms,  and  the  sublimity  of  its  scenery, 
jnay  excuse  the  presence  even  of  so  staunch  a  Protestant 
as  yourself." 

"  But  these  have  not  charmed  me  to  the  place,"  said 
Mrs.  Cleveland — with  the  old  sorrow  heaving  in  her  breast, 
and  straggling  up  to  her  face — "Mr.  Cleveland  officiates 
there." 

"  Marvel  added  to  marvel !"  exclaimed  Mary  in  aston- 
ishment. "  Where  will  terminate  a  series  of  events  so 
wonderful  ?" 

"  Yes  !  I  have  seen  him,"  returned  Mrs.  Cleveland,  "  re- 
peatedly there,  so  pale,  so  melancholy,  so  spiritual,  so  lofty! 
His  person  clad  in  his  robes  has  an  almost  seraphic  dig- 
nity, and  in  the  midst  of  such  striking  pageantries,  I  some- 
times seem  looking  on  a  celestial  being  whose  form  is  on 
earth,  and  whose  soul  is  in  heaven.  Can  you  be  surprised 
that  my  poor  heart  impels  me  to  the  place  by  a  spell  I 
cannot  resist?  The  woman  conquers  the  Christian.  I 
condemn  myself,  and  yet  yield  to  the  fascination.  I  gaze, 
and  gaze,  and  gaze,  until  my  heart  seems  bursting  from 
my  eyes."     Placing  her  hands  over  her  breast,  and  turn- 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  279 

ing  her  face  upward,  she  added:  "Surely  our  Father  will 
not  blast  the  lonely,  thirsty,  scorched  oasis  for  looking  on 
the  heavens." 

Mary  Ellingwood  was  overcome  both  by  the  sentiment 
and  the  manner  of  her  friend,  and  could  only  relieve  her 
own  emotion  by  sympathetic  tears. 

"  Your  life  is  ever  becoming  more  strange  and  more  in- 
tense," she  exclaimed.  "  Yet  I  believe  from  the  tangled 
skein  is  weaving  a  future  to  be  bright,  and  beautiful  for- 
ever. Do  you  think  you  were  recognized  by  your  hus- 
band?" 

"  I  am  certain  in  one  instance  he  gave  a  start  of  sur- 
prise. His  cheek  became  red  as  the  scarlet  on  his  robe, 
which  appeared  rustling  with  his  agitation.  Ever  since  I 
have  felt  a  strange  consciousness  of  mutual  communion 
casting  over  both  of  us  its  magnetic  spell." 

Leaving  the  ladies  to  pursue  their  conversation  we  re- 
turn to  the  Cardinal  himself.  The  design  of  Bishop 
Frances  in  the  extorted  promise  was  to  concentrate  on 
him  the  personal  influence  of  his  Holiness,  and  recover 
him  by  the  aesthetic  effects  of  the  Lenten  and  Easter  ser- 
vices. Nor  was  he  insensible  to  their  charms.  The 
Miserere  of  the  Sistine  Chapel  in  its  wild  wailings  of  grief 
transported  him  in  tears  to  the  Cross,  and  all  the  sur- 
rounding miracles  of  art  often  elevated  him  to  a  rapturous 
fervor.  The  mild  face  and  noble  person  of  the  Pope,  with 
whom  he  was  now  so  constantly  associated,  deeply  and 
favorably  impressed  his  sensitive  nature.  But  he  had 
learned  to  analyze  and  suspect  mere  emotion.  He  studied 
in  his  chamber  his  Bible,  his  old  Prayer-Book,  and  the 
Apostolic  Fathers.  Often  with  Jumbo  he  descended  from 
the  Chapel  of  St.  Agnes  to  explore  the  Catacombs,  and  he 
examined  the  remains  of  Primitive  Christianity  in  the 


280  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

Lapidarian  Gallery.  His  faith  was  not  now  the  result  of 
impulse  but  of  reason.  He  found  himself  a  Primitive 
Catholic,  and  a  Protestant  Catholic,  but  no  longer  a 
Etonian  Catholic.  Magnificent  ceremonies  were  changed 
into  gilded  mockeries.  In  an  interview  with  his  Holiness 
even  Papal  argument  produced  no  effect.  An  inherited 
Saxon  nature  had  forever  overmastered  that  Roman  adhe- 
sion which  was  an  exotic  implantation.  He  looked  for- 
ward to  Easter  as  a  man  confined  in  a  splendid  palace 
awaits  the  hour  when  the  door  will  open,  and  he  will  step 
forth  from  his  gilded  imprisonment  free  beneath  the  roof 
of  heaven.  Thundering  cannon,  exploding  mortars,  ring- 
ing bells,  pealing  trumpets  announced  not  only  the  resur- 
rection, but  his  own  approaching  liberty.  Yet  he  was 
strangely  affected  by  the  appearance  of  the  Pope  pro- 
nouncing his  annual  blessing.  Protestant  as  he  now  was, 
it  is  not  surprising  that  he  should  be  impressed  with  the 
spectacle  of  the  swaying  crowd,  the  worn  pilgrims,  the 
hooded  sisters,  the  glittering  soldiers,  as  below  the  dome 
of  St.  Peter's,  Pio  Kono,  rising  from  his  golden  chair, 
clothed  in  white,  and  between  peacock  plumes,  with  his 
musical,  penetrating  voice,  pronounced  his  benediction  over 
the  vast  kneeling  multitude.  But  the  emotion  of  the  Car- 
dinal reached  its  climax  as  he  gazed  on  the  illumination 
of  St.  Peter's  terminating  his  promise.  His  soul  was  con- 
centrated on  that  vast  pile.  His  eye  gleamed.  The  blaze 
of  the  sun  has  disappeared.  Twilight  is  veiling  the  sky. 
A  glow  trembles  over  the  distant  basilica.  The  splendor 
increases  until  the  edifice  outlined  against  the  heavens 
stands  a  structure  of  fire.  Bells  clang  away  the  silver 
illumination.  A  flame  bursts  from  the  Cross.  There  is 
a  flash  whirling  down  the  dome,  and  a  rainfire  over  the 


THE  -AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  281 

cupolas,  and  St.  Peter's  is  a  blaze  of  golden  light.  As  it 
waves  and  shakes  and  vanishes  Cleveland  feels  that  the 
succeeding  gloom  is  not  to  him  darkness,  but  rather  like 
an  illumination  of  Truth  and  Liberty. 


24* 


CHAPTER  XXXV. 

PIO   NONO   KIND,    BUT   UNYIELDING. 

When  the  Cardinal  returned  to  his  chamber  in  the 
Vatican  he  found  the  lamps  unlighted,  and  his  apartment 
contrasted  strangely  with  the  brilliance  he  had  witnessed. 
He  had  no  time,  however,  for  reflections.  He  had 
scarcely  taken  his  seat  and  ordered  the  lights,  when 
Bishop  Frances  was  announced,  and  entered. 

He  said  immediately,  "  You  perceive  I  am  punctual, 
your  Eminence." 

"  I  am  in  all  respects  ready  for  our  interview,"  he  re- 
plied, with  a  look  and  tone  of  resolution  which  surprised 
the  Bishop,  who  at  once  proceeded. 

u  I  hope  the  services  in  which  you  have  participated, 
your  interview  with  his  Holiness,  and  your  own  reflections 
have  banished  doubt  from  the  mind  of  your  Eminence 
and  restored  you  to  the'  Church." 

"I  must  not  disguise,"  replied  Cleveland,  with  entire 
calmness,  "  my  true  feelings  and  opinions.  The  effect  has 
been  different  from  what  you  intended.  I  am  now  forever 
separated  in  head  and  heart  from  Borne.  A  near  survey 
has  dissipated  the  colors  with  which  she  was  invested  by 
distance.  Familiarity  has  scattered  fancies.  My  Saxon 
nature  recoils  from  your  Latin  rule.  I  have  returned  to 
the  faith  from  which  I  was  led  by  impulse  and  deluded  by 
ambition." 

Frances  arose,  a  terrible  spectacle  of  hatred  and  scorn. 
Glancing  down  on  Cleveland,  and  shaking  toward  him  his 
282 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  283 

long,  bony  finger,  he  seemed  for  a  moment  a  tiger  pre- 
paring to  spring  on  his  victim. 

M  For  this,"  he  cried,  "  I  have  guided  you  to  our  holy 
mother,  that  you  may  wound  the  bosom  which  sheltered 
you !  For  this,  my  prayers,  my  counsels,  my  labors,  that 
you  may  betray  the  man  by  whom  you  were  converted ! 
For  this,  my  influence  at  the  Vatican  to  procure  you  a 
mitre  and  a  hat,  that  as  Bishop  and  Cardinal,  your  apos- 
tacy  may  intensify  our  disgrace !  For  this  I  obtained 
your  entrance  to  our  Order,  that  your  oath  might  blast 
forever  your  body  and  your  soul !  Boy !  Woman ! 
Traitor,  you  shall  never  leave  this  palace,  to  proclaim 
your  infamy  and  our  disgrace  !" 

Cleveland  sat  meekly  under  an  explosion  he  deserved 
and  expected.     With  a  beautiful  mildness,  he  replied : 

"  Bishop  Frances,  I  only  blame  myself.  Vexation  and 
ambition  led  me  astray.  I  am  sorry  for  myself.  I  am 
sorry  for  you.     I  am  sorry  for  the  Church." 

"  I  suppose,"  returned  the  Bishop,  with  a  bitter  sneer, 
and  in  a  tone  of  cutting  taunt,  "  your  thoughts  of  Mrs. 
Cleveland  have  not  at  all  influenced  your  conclusions. 
Doubtless,  they  have  not  been  unpleasant,  or  unfrequent. 
I  am  told,  that  even  in  the  Sistine  chapel,  from  its  very 
altar,  you  returned  her  glances.  A  Priest  before  Heaven 
defiling  himself  with  adultery!  And  your  beautiful 
daughter  !  What  an  argument  in  her  image  !  I  presume 
your  Eminence,  before  all  the  world,  will  return  to  the 
embraces  of  connubial  love  and  the  delights  of  your 
family ! " 

Satan  could  not  have  been  more  provoking.  A  few 
weeks  since,  such  words,  and  such  a  manner,  would  have 
stung  Cleveland  to  madness.  He  now  felt  his  selfishness 
and  vacillation  deserved  infinitely  more. 


284  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

"  No  words  can  express  how  I  deplore  the  injury  I 
inflict,"  said  Cleveland,  mildly.  "  I  do  not  mean  to  miti- 
gate my  faults,  and  yet  your  words  suggest  one  wrong  in 
the  Church.  She  severed  what  God  united.  Her  unlaw- 
ful power  came  between  me  and  my  wife,  alienatiDg  her 
from  my  protection,  and  thrusting  my  daughter  from  my 
care,  and  making  my  home  a  ruin.  "Where  began  the 
sin,  must  commence  the  cure.  "Whatever  the  consequence, 
I  cannot,  I  will  not,  I  dare  not  conceal  my  purpose  to 
return  to  my  family." 

Frances  lifted  himself  on  his  feet  to  his  greatest  height, 
then  bending  down  his  flashing  eye,  and  placing  a  hand 
on  each  shoulder  of  Cleveland,  he  cried : 
'--  "Never!  your  Eminence,  never !  "We  cannot  compel  your 
opinions,  or  constrain  your  heart,  but  we  can  control  your 
person.  "While  you  live,  until  the  Papal  throne  is  a  ruin, 
you  shall  never  pass  beyond  the  Papal  dominion,  or  even 
the  Papal  palace." 

Cleveland  had  sometimes  feared  that  the  disgrace  of  his 
apostacy  would  be  concealed  by  the  restriction  of  his 
liberty.  He  had,  however,  thrust  from  his  mind,  the 
hateful  thought.  Now  his  worst  anticipations  were  to  be 
realized.  Controlling  the  tempest  in  his  breast,  he  said, 
with  a  persuasive  gentleness  of  manner,  and  in  a  voice 
plaintively  musical : 

"Will  you  not  remember  our  old  friendship?  "Will 
you  not  pity  my  misfortunes  ?  "Will  you  not  ask  your 
Order  to  release  me  from  my  oath  ?  Will  you  not  seek  a 
dispensation  from  his  Holiness?  I  beg  your  kind  interposi- 
tion." 

"Dispensation !"  sneered  Frances,  savagely.  "  One 
should,  I  think,  suffice  for  us  both."  But  he  was,  after 
all,  softened  by  Cleveland's  tone  and  suffering.     Musing  a 


TEE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  285 

moment  he  answered  gently,  almost  tenderly,  "  Our  Order 
is  now  sitting  in  the  Vatican,  and  I  have  an  interview 
appointed  with  his  Holiness.  I  will  comply  with  your 
request,  and  meet  you  here  at  midnight." 

He  then  withdrew,  leaving  Cleveland  in  the  calmness  of 
either  resignation  or  despair.  Frances  passed  along  the 
hall  of  the  Vatican,  entered  a  gallery,  descended  a  stair- 
way, reached  a  low,  narrow,  dark,  subterraneous  passage, 
and  walking  rapidly  in  the  sepulchral  light  of  a  solitary 
lamp,  reached  a  massive  iron  door.  Three  peculiar  raps 
caused  the  ponderous  barrier  to  swing  back  on  its  hinges, 
and  revealed  an  apartment  piled  with  the  tokens  of  death. 
On  every  side,  leaving  a  narrow  passage  next  the  wall, 
hung  rows  of  skeletons.  A  hideous  pyramid  of  skulls 
towered  in  the  centre.  Around  were  bones — ghastlv, 
grotesque,  hideous.  Seated  beneath  the  low  ceiling,  like 
spectres  in  the  gloom,  were  solemn  men  in  black.  One, 
evidently  their  President,  occupied  a  chair  at  once  fantas- 
tic and  frightful,  yet  precisely  corresponding  to  his  gaunt 
form  and  implacable  face.  When  Frances  entered,  after 
the  salutation  of  his  Order,  he,  too,  assumed  a  sombre 
costume  like  that  of  his  associates.  He  was  immediately 
required  to  state  his  errand.  Everything  indicated  busi- 
ness, not  ceremony. 

The  Bishop  rose,  using  the  most  concise  language  pos- 
sible. Without  preface,  or  apology,  he  said :  "  Cardinal 
Cleveland  is  more  than  ever  opposed  to  the  Papacy.  He 
wishes  openly  to  renounce  our  Church  and  Order. 
Shall  he  be  released  from  his  vow,  and  return  to  his 
family  ?     I  wish  an  instant  answer." 

A  Satanic  grimness  followed  this  statement.  The 
Fathers  consulted  in  a  low  under  tone.  But  the  case  was 
too  plain  for  discussion,  or  even  vote.     The  Superior  soon 


2S6  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

replied  :  "  The  request  is  unprecedented,  and  compliance 
impossible.  Apostacy  is  a  forbidden  crime.  Until  the 
Pope,  our  supreme  and  infallible  master,  directs,  Cardinal 
Cleveland  must  never  leave  the  Vatican." 

Frances  removed  his  robe,  made  a  reverential  obeisance, 
and  withdrew  backward  to  the  door.  The  transition  was 
great  from  such  a  solemn  gloom  to  the  apartment  of  the 
Vatican,  beaming  and  flashing  with  splendors,  where  Pio 
Kono  stood  in  his  pontifical  magnificence,  encircled  by  a 
brilliant  company.  Bishop  Frances  having  obtained  per- 
mission, awaited  his  opportunity,  approached  his  Holiness, 
and  first  prostrating  himself  to  the  floor,  kissed  the  out- 
stretched finger  of  the  Pope.  Being  a  known  Infallibilist, 
he  was  received  with  the  blandest  and  brightest  smiles  of 
welcome.  Having  hastily  stated  the  contemplated  defec- 
tion ot  Cleveland,  he  received  from  Pius  an  opinion  ex- 
actly confirming  the  judgment  of  the  Order,  and  retired 
with  the  formalities  which  marked  his  introduction.  Re- 
turning quickly  to  the  room  of  the  suffering  man,  and 
obtaining  admission,  he  said,  without  ceremony,  "  May  it 
please  your  Eminence,  the  Order  and  his  Holiness  have 
decided,  as  I  deemed  inevitable.  Your  apostacy  cannot 
be  tolerated.  Ko  violence  is  intended,  but  you  cannot 
leave  the  Vatican." 

Frances,  with  a  cold  bow,  withdrew,  and  left  Cleveland 
alone.  To  his  surprise  his  heart  was  tranquil.  His  day  of 
caprice  and  sentiment  was  gone.  He  had  now  a  developed 
manhood.  Wealth  and  rank  had  given  him  a  position 
for  which  he  had  not  been  qualified,  and  his  untried 
bark  on  the  perilous  sea  of  life  had  shifted  with  the 
winds,  and  tossed  with  the  waves.  A  mere  breath 
had  blown  the  painted,  graceful,  gilded  craft  from 
its  moorings,  where  the  strong  ship  would  have  smiled  in 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  287 

the  conscious  security  of  a  safe  anchorage.  Cleveland 
was  no  longer  the  pretty  yacht,  but  the  tried  vessel.  He 
felt  a  new  resolve,  a  new  spirit,  a  new  power.  He  was 
face  to  face  with  a  tyranny  he  defied,  and  from  which  he 
was  calmly  planning  his  escape.  Manhood  is  above  con- 
tingencies.   It  yields  alone  to  Heaven. 


CHAPTER   XXXVI. 

RESTORED   IN   THE   CATACOMBS. 

On  the  morning  after  the  events  of  the  last  chapter, 
Judge  Ellingwood  was  sitting  thoughtfully  in  his  study. 
"Without  was  the  murmur  of  a  fountain,  lifting  its  column 
in  the  sun  to  fall  back  in  plashing  pearls,  and  glide  from 
its  basin  between  flowery  banks.  In  every  direction 
towered  Eoman  palaces.  Away  in  the  mist  of  the  dis- 
tance stood  against  the  sky  the  dome  of  St.  Peter's.  In 
another  direction  was  seen  the  stately  Vatican,  where  the 
Judge  was  now  concentrating  his  thoughts. 

While  he  was  musing,  Mary  burst  into  his  study  with 
a  sunny,  "  Good  morning,  papa,"  followed  by  such  a  kiss 
on  the  paternal  cheek  as  bright,  loving  daughters  only 
know  how  to  give. 

Judge  Ellingwood  returned  the  joyous  salute  with  a 
corresponding  affectionateness,  and  said,  "  I  am  quite  glad 
you  have  come.  Some  important  events  have  transpired, 
and  I  must  join  your  young  wit  to  my  old  brain.  Are 
you  ready  for  the  alliance,  Mary  ?" 

"Ah!  Papa,"  she  replied,  "I  have  brought  you  to 
terms,  and  you  are  now  willing  to  treat.  Yesterday  I  felt 
quite  banished.  Mrs.  Cleveland  closeted  in  your  study 
made  me  fearfully  jealous.  Messengers  passed  to  and  fro ! 
Mr.  Percivale  was  announced !  the  American  Minister  was 
whirled  to  our  door,  and  whirled  away  again,  and  your 
daughter  ignorant  of  the  excitement.     But  your  proposi- 

288 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  289 

tion  makes  her  forgiving,  and  she  receives  you  into  her 
favor." 

"  Mary,  I  am  too  grave  to  return  your  banter,"  replied 
the  Judge  sadly.  "  I  know  Mrs.  Cleveland  has  told  you 
everything.  Two  ladies  in  the  same  apartment  always 
click  like  telegraphic  machines  in  a  thunder-storm. 
Besides,  the  requisition  of  his  Eminence,  the  Governor  of 
Police,  took  us  by  surprise." 

"  Can  it  be  possible  we  are  peremptorily  commanded 
to  leave  Eome  ?"  inquired  Mary. 

"  Of  that  there  can  be  no  doubt.  There  on  my  table 
lies  the  order.  Mr.  Fortescue  remonstrated  in  vain. 
Nothing  but  his  removal  to  our  house,  and  the  American 
flag  over  our  heads  saved  us  from  expulsion.  See  there," 
said  the  Judge  rising,  and  pointing  to  its  shadow  dancing 
over  the  lawn,  "  the  pledge  of  our  safety  !  What  music  in 
the  flutter  of  those  folds !  Our  stars  awe  even  the  Vati- 
can." 

"And  what  can  be  the  explanation  of  this  strange 
movement  ?"  asked  Mary. 

"  The  Cardinal  has  renounced  Eomanism,  and  we 
suspect  is  a  prisoner  in  the  Vatican,"  replied  the  Judge. 
"  The  presence  of  his  wife  in  this  city  of  Celibate  Priests 
is  of  course  a  perplexity,  and  an  offence." 

"  I  know  Mrs.  Cleveland,"  said  Mary.  "  An  Italian 
Pope  will  yet  find  himself  defeated  by  an  American 
woman." 

At  this  juncture  the  eulogized  lady  knocked  at  the 
door,  and  was  admitted.  She  was  terribly  excited,  but 
evidently  in  command  of  her  spirit.  Slightly  flushed, 
there  was  a  fascinating  sweetness  and  dignity  in  her 
matronly  beauty.  "  My  dear  friends,"  she  began  mourn- 
fully, "  I  fear  I  am  ever  to  be  the  disturber  of  your  peace. 
25 


290  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

Here  is  a  note,  directed  to  Judge  Ellingwood,  in  the 
writing  of  Mr.  Cleveland,  and  brought  by  Jumbo.  It 
will  doubtless  prove  the  key  to  our  future  history."  She 
gave  it  to  the  Judge  with  a  trembling  hand,  and  sank 
down  upon  the  sofa.  Hastily  removing  the  envelope,  and 
darting  over  the  page  his  quick,  practiced  eye,  he  re- 
turned the  note  to  Mrs.  Cleveland.  As  she  caught  its 
contents  at  a  glance,  exclamations  of  gratitude  burst  from 
her  lips,  and  again  she  fell  back  fainting,  and  nearly  life- 
less. It  was  a  communication  from  Cleveland  to  his  old 
friend,  declaring  his  renunciation  of  Romanism,  his 
detention  in  the  Vatican,  and  his  resolution  to  escape.  It 
concluded  with  an  earnest  request  for  an  interview  with 
his  wife.  Such  a  joy  could  scarcely  fail  to  overcome  her, 
who  for  years  had  lived  solely  for  the  rescue  of  her  hus- 
band. She  lay  pale,  with  her  lips  moving,  and  her  face 
turned  towards  Heaven,  while  over  her  features  seemed 
to  play  a  celestial  radiance.  Still  reclining  on  the  sofa, 
she  said,  in  whispers,  "  Jumbo  waits  in  the  hall ;  let  him 
be  called  at  once."  A  servant  was  sent,  and  the  venerable 
negro  immediately  made  his  appearance.  Mrs.  Cleveland, 
animated  with  sudden  strength,  inquired :  "  Where  is  he  ? 
How  is  he  ?    Tell  me !     Tell  me  quickly !" 

Jumbo,  with  a  solemn  look  of  mystery,  replied: 
"  Missus,  de  Ca'dnal  he  anudder  man.  Hes'e  no  more 
walks  his  room,  and  cry,  and  strike  his  breast,  and  trow 
himself  on  de  bed.  He  look  at  peace.  De  Laud  hab 
cum  to  his  heart.  He  seem  like  de  Virginny  pine  afta 
de  staum,  and  de  lightnin',  when  de  limbs  be  cubber'd 
agin  wid  de  leabs,  and  standin'  on  de  mountin,  it  say  to 
de  Hebbens  to  flash  and  rore.  He  look  noble,  Missus." 
These  simple  words  brought  tears  to  every  eye.  Mrs. 
Cleveland  wept  convulsively. 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  291 

When  she  had  sufficiently  recovered,  Judge  Ellingwood 
asked :  "  Has  he  told  you  his  plans,  Jumbo  ?" 

^  u  O  yes,  Massa  Judge.  He  say  de  Pope  want  to  keep 
him  in  de  Vatican,  and  he'se  want  to  'scape ;  and  he  will, 
Missus.  He  got  new  spent  Dey  can't  keep  him  dar.' 
His  soul  bust  dat  palas,  and  send  de  Pope  a  kitin'  trough 
de  air." 

The  company  smiled  at  this  figure.  A  consultation 
followed.  It  was  feared  the  guard  would  be  more  strict, 
owing  to  the  action  of  the  American  Minister,  and  that 
Jumbo's  connection  with  the  Judge's  household  could  not 
long  be  concealed.  After  weighing  every  circumstance, 
it  was  concluded  the  interview  should  be  attempted  that 
night,  and  the  final  escape  arranged  at  the  earliest  pos- 
sible moment.  A  rope  ladder  was  procured,  separated 
into  parts,  and  conveyed  at  several  different  times  to 
Cleveland's  apartment  by  Jumbo,  in  a  satchel  he  had 
frequently  carried  to  the  laundress.  A  chapel  in  the 
Catacombs  was  designated  for  a  midnight  meeting.  The 
entrance  was  from  a  garden,  where  Dr.  Elton  and  Jumbo 
had  repeatedly  descended. 

"When  Cleveland  learned  these  plans,  he  made  cor- 
responding preparations.  While  a  church-clock  was 
striking  eleven,  all  the  doors  of  his  apartment  were 
locked  within.  A  window  was  raised.  The  ladder  was 
tied  to  an  antique  massive  bedstead,  itself  fastened  to  the 
floor.  A  fortunate  projection  of  the  palace  on  the  side 
most  exposed,  formed  a  screen  for  the  descent.  Jumbo 
first  let  himself  down,  and  held  the  ladder  below.  Cleve- 
land stood  a  moment  in  the  window.  Uttering  a  prayer, 
he  climbed  over  the  sill.  Step  by  step  he  lowered  himself 
towards  the  earth.  He  was  speedily  on  the  last  rung. 
Leaping  thankfully  to  the  ground,  a  cloudy,  moonless, 


292  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

starless  night,  offered  a  friendly  gloom.  Through  solitary- 
arid  obscure  streets,  Jumbo  led  their  way  to  the  appointed 
garden. 

Judge  Ellingwood  and  Mrs.  Cleveland,  closely  muffled, 
had  already  arrived.  All  emotion,  and  even  recognition, 
were  suppressed.  One  after  another  of  the  party  passed 
down  through  the  entrance,  and  silently  descended  a  rude 
stone  stairway.  Jumbo  preceded  with  a  lamp,  and  proved 
a  faithful  guide  through  familiar  passages  and  galleries. 
At  last  a  Chapel,  brilliantly  illuminated,  was  reached. 
Arthur  Cleveland  and  his  wife  alone  entered,  while 
Judge  Ellingwood  and  Jumbo  withdrew  to  a  contiguous 
tomb.  A  scene  ensued  language  cannot  paint.  The  fires 
of  love,  suppressed  for  years,  burst  into  instant  flame. 
Separation  only  increased  the  intensity  of  the  blaze.  Mrs. 
Cleveland  flung  herself  into  the  arms  of  her  husband, 
and,  folded  to  his  breast,  kissed  his  lips  with  a  passionate 
eagerness,  while  his  tall  manly  form  shook  as  he  pressed 
to  his  heart  his  recovered  wife. 

Every  association  of  the  spot  lent  sacredness  to  the 
interview.  Around  were  the  graves  of  martyrs,  whose 
bodies  had  been  carried  from  the  crowded  arena,  torn  by 
beasts,  and  gashed  with  swords,  to  sleep  in  gloom  until 
the  light  of  their  last  triumph.  Here  were  the  ashes  of 
women  and  children  who  had  perished  in  the  flames. 
Here  was  the  dust  of  noble  ecclesiastics,  who,  after  being 
hunted  over  the  world,  had  crept  down  to  die.  Here  had 
been  the  home  of  the  Church,  and  here  still  were  the 
simple  monuments  of  her  immortal  faith.  This  very 
Chapel  had  heard  the  voice  of  Primitive  Preachers,  and 
possibly  seen  Apostles  celebrate  the  holy  mysteries  of  the 
Gospel.  Aisle,  and  gallery,  and  roof,  had  echoed  the 
song3  of  saints  wafted  from  their  gloom  to  Heaven. 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  293 

Arthur  and  Emily,  after  the  first  violence  of  their 
emotions,  sat  long  gazing  at  each  other  in  a  silence  inter- 
rupted by  fervent  kisses  and  warm  embraces.  The  former 
at  last  gave  a  sudden  start.  He  gently  extricated  him- 
self from  the  arms  of  his  wife,  and  falling  on  his  knees 
at  her  feet,  exclaimed,  passionately :  "  My  first  error  was 
against  Heaven,  in  my  formalism,  my  infidelity,  my 
rebellion,  my  apostacy.  For  these  I  trust  I  have  found 
forgiveness.  My  next  sin,  Emily,  was  against  you.  I 
permitted  a  blasphemous  tyranny  to  come  between  myself 
and  my  wife.  I  deserted  your  bosom.  I  abandoned  our 
Ada.  I  desolated  our  home.  I  have  wrung  your  heart 
with  long  years  of  agony.  Oh,  Emily,  can  you  pardon 
the  wretch  at  your  feet  ?" 

Mrs.  Cleveland,  weeping,  bent  over  her  husband,  and 
kissed  his  forehead,  saying :  "  Rise,  Arthur,  we  are  one 
forever.  Let  us  bow  before  that  altar,  and  beg  the  smile 
of  Heaven." 

Cleveland  arose,  took  the  hand  of  his  wife  with  an 
eager  clasp,  and  they  long  knelt  in  silence  before  the 
venerable  stone.  Returning  to  their  former  seat,  he 
broke  forth:  "My  Ada!  where,  where  is  my  forsaken 
Ada?" 

"  A  few  days  since  she  left  Rome  in  perfect  health  with 
Edward  and  Anna  Ellingwood,  General  Brompton,  Dr. 
Elton,  and  his  son.  In  a  few  months  I  trust  we  will  see 
her  in  America." 

"  I  need  not  ask  how  she  looks,"  he  proceeded.  "  I  saw 
her  radiant  beauty  as  she  stood  in  her  bloom  beside  you 
on  the  Corso.  Does  she  remember  me?  What  are  her 
prospects  for  the  future  ?" 

"  In  culture,  manners,  disposition,  she  is  all  we  could  de- 
sire. She  is  engaged  to  young  Elton,  who  is  in  every 
25* 


294  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

respect  worthy  of  our  daughter.  On  her  breast  she  has 
always  worn  her  father's  image." 

"Thank  Heaven!"  exclaimed  Cleveland.  "Thank 
Heaven !  But,  Emily,  I  must  reserve  further  inquiries. 
Arrangements  must  be  made  for  my  escape.  I  long 
doubted  whether  I  was  not  bound  by  my  vow  as  a  Priest 
and  my  oath  to  my  Order.  Finally  I  saw  my  obligation 
to  you  was  paramount,  and  now  my  only  desire  is  to  re- 
pair my  error  by  beginning  at  its  root." 

"  This  is  doubtless  the  will  and  work  of  that  Infinite 
Love,  which,  having  given  us  a  needed  discipline,  has  at 
last  restored  us  to  each  other.  How  grateful  I  feel  for 
my  persistent  faith !"  Pointing  to  the  walls  of  the  Chapel, 
covered  with  sculptured  forms,  her  eye  and  face  glowed 
and  kindled  in  the  light  while  she  continued : 

"  See  that  ark  floating  amid  storm  and  billow !  See 
Abraham  delivered  from  Isaac's  sacrifice!  See  Moses 
kneeling  move  Heaven!  See  those  youth  walk  singing  in 
the  furnace!  See  Daniel  sit  among  lions  protected  by 
an  angel !  See  our  Lord  ascend  triumphant  to  His  glory ! 
Such  are  the  images  which  express  the  victories  of  my 
own  faith." 

Cleveland  gazed  at  his  wife  with  amazement  and  rap- 
ture. She  stood  like  a  martyr  risen  from  an  adjoining 
tomb,  and  clothed  in  light,  to  inspire  him  with  courage 
for  the  future.  While  he  still  looked,  the  step  of  Judge 
Ellingwood  was  heard,  and  he  was  requested  to  enter. 
The  joy  of  the  party  was  complete,  and  was  shared 
by  Jumbo  grinning  at  the  door.  Conversation  was  now 
directed  to  the  best  methods  of  effecting  the  escape  of 
Cleveland.  It  was  decided  that  on  the  third  night  after, 
he,  attended  by  Jumbo,  should  meet  Mrs.  Cleveland  in 
the  Piazza  Montanara,  all  being  disguised  as  peasants. 


THE    AMERICAN    CARDINAL.  296 

Mingling  with  the  laborers  they  were  to  pa?s  with  them 
through  the  city-gates.  Beyond,  Judge  Ellingwood  would 
provide  a  carriage,  to  convey  them  to  the  valley  of 
Lucerne,  in  Piedmont.  He  and  Mary  were  to  remain  at 
Eome,  and  join  them  at  some  other  place  when  advised  of 
their  safety. 

"When  the  consultation  was  over,  the  party  knelt  in  the 
Chapel,  and  Cleveland  poured  forth  words  of  petition 
whose  earnestness  recalled  the  supplications  of  a  former 
age  in  the  same  place  and  for  a  similar  deliverance. 
"When  all  had  arisen,  after  affectionate  farewells,  they 
silently  followed  Jumbo  back  to  the  stairway.  The  Judge 
and  Mrs.  Cleveland  reached  the  palace  safely,  and  re- 
lieved the  anxious  fears  of  Mary  by  their  appearance. 
Cleveland  and  Jumbo,  obscured  in  a  dense  darkness,  ar- 
rived at  the  Vatican,  and  drew  down  their  ladder  by  a 
string  which  had  raised  it  back  within  the  window.  Both 
arose  without  difficulty,  and  foand  their  apartment  undis- 
turbed. Cleveland  slept  with  a  tranquility  he  had  not 
known  for  years.  Once  he  dreamed  of  a  bright  home  and 
above  it  the  glory  of  Heaven. 


CHAPTER  XXXVII. 

THE   ALPS! 

On  the  tliird  night  after  the  meeting  in  the  Catacombs 
two  seeming  peasants  "walked  along  a  street  near  the  Vati- 
can. On  the  elder  and  stouter  was  a  mask.  Both  passed 
a  group  of  three  persons,  and  were  joined  by  one  of  them, 
a  female,  in  the  dress  of  an  Italian  harvester.  As  the 
party  stopped  in  apparent  doubt  as  to  their  direction,  they 
heard  an  American  voice,  deep  and  mellow,  accompanied 
by  a  guitar,  singing  the  following  words. 

Sleep,  Love  !  and  bright  thy  dreams  ! 

Ah  !  o'er  thy  bed 

What  rosy  head ! 
Light-wing'd  the  boy-god  gleams  I 

Sleep,  Love ! 

Sleep  till  his  arrow  flie3  ! 

Twang,  twang  the  dart 

Goes  to  thy  heart ! 
Ho  smiles,  and  mounts  the  skies — 

Sleep,  Love ! 

Wake,  Love,  and  see  the  moon  ! 

Hear  my  guitar, 

And  watch  yon  star ! 
Thy  brighf  face  show  soon !  soon  ! 

Wake,  Love! 

"Wake,  Love,  and  from  thy  lip 

Fling,  fling  one  kiss. 

Far  drops  the  bliss, 
When  near  the  bloom  I'd  sip, 

Sip,  sip ! 

296 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  297 

Instantly,  borne  on  the  morning  breeze,  in  evident 
response,  was  heard  a  beautiful  song  in  Italian,  wafting 
its  melody  from  a  distant  street.  This  latter  strain  was 
accompanied  by  the  tinkle  of  the  tambourine,  and  indi- 
cated the  direction  of  the  Piazza  Montanara.  Guided  by 
the  sound,  our  party  no  longer  hesitated,  but  proceeded 
rapidly  and  directly  to  the  place.  A  gay  scene  burst  on 
their  eyes.  Decorated  carts !  Garlanded  Oxen !  Gay 
groups  chatting,  laughing,  dancing  to  the  music  of  the 
pipe  and  tambourine !  As  the  glad  sounds  rang  far  and 
near,  the  setting  moon  revealed  here  and  there  in  lifted 
windows  the  white  night-cap  of  some  Roman  disturbed  by 
the  early  revelry. 

Soon  the  company  organizes,  forms  into  procession, 
passes  through  the  gates,  scatters  over  the  Campagna  to 
scenes  of  daily  toil.  The  three  persons  we  first  observed 
found  no  difficulty  in  mingling  unnoticed  with  the  noisy 
crowd  and  reaching  without  the  walls  a  carriage  ap- 
parently in  waiting.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cleveland  at  once 
enter  and  occupy  the  back  seat,  while  Jumbo,  having 
closed  the  door,  climbs  heavily  to  a  place  with  the  coach- 
man, and  removing  his  mask  thrusts  it  down  in  the  box. 

The  moon  hangs  above  the  dark  peaks  of  a  distant  hill, 
and  through  a  rosy  morning  trembles  a  brilliant  star. 
The  lark  is  already  singing  in  his  cloud.  On  every  side 
is  a  blaze  of  flowers.  Vast  acqueducts  on  lofty  arches, 
festooned  with  ivy,  and  brilliant  with  bloom,  stretch  in 
silent  grandeur  over  the  plain,  whose  ruined  tombs  and 
villas  stand  sad  monuments  of  a  buried  world.  Circling 
mountains  now  shine  in  the  rising  sun,  and  white  villas 
gleam  along  their  sides.  Flocks  of  sheep,  and  goats,  and 
the  pipes  of  shepherds  indicate  that  the  carriage  is  leaving 
the  city  far  behind. 


298  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

Hitherto  the  hearts  of  Arthur  and  Emily  Cleveland 
have  been  too  intense  for  words. 

At  last  the  husband  broke  forth,  "Thank  Heaven, 
Emily,  we  are  free !  And  amid  what  scenes  of  marvellous 
beauty !" 

"Never,  Arthur,"  she  exclaimed  with  rapture,  "will 
we  forget  this  hour.  How  fresh  this  air!  How  bright 
yon  plain !  How  brilliant  yon  sky !  This  morning  is  an 
emblem  of  our  bliss,  and  liberty." 

"  Oh,  Italy,  Italy,  how  has  superstition  darkened  thy 
glory,  and  turned  this  matchless  plain  from  a  garden  to  a 
tomb !  See,  Emily,  the  dome  of  St.  Peter's  sublime  on 
yon  gorgeous  heavens !  How  different  my  emotions  from 
those  first  excited  by  its  incomparable  grandeur !  Alas ! 
Alas !  I  know  it  the  emblem  of  a  spiritual  tyranny  which 
would  enslave  a  world." 

"  Perhaps,  Arthur,  Heaven  intends  you  to  testify 
against  Koine.  The  witness  of  the  eye  and  ear  has  a 
peculiar  power." 

"  I  know  not,"  he  answered,  "  what  is  designed  in  our 
future.  Our  furnace  has  been  severe,  but  the  flames  were 
necessary.  "Whether  we  have  been  refined  for  action,  or 
for  suffering,  is  not  ours  to  determine." 

"Fire  alone  brings  from  the  incense  its  fragrance,"  said 
Mrs.  Cleveland. 

While  the  carriage  is  whirling  over  the  Campagna 
amid  clouds  of  dust,  and  the  husband  and  wife  are  con- 
versing, we  may  pause  to  notice  their  appearance.  From 
the  face  and  form  of  Cleveland  all  feebleness  has  va- 
nished. The  lips  are  compressed,  and  firm.  The  jaw 
denotes  power.  The  forehead  is  full,  noble,  commanding. 
Every  feature  indicates  strong,  invincible,  manly  de- 
termination. 


THE    AMERICAN    CARDINAL.  299 

Mrs.  Cleveland,  on  the  other  hand,  has  become  more 
gentle  and  tender  in  her  expression.  On  her  face  is  a 
sweet  composure,  refining  and  spiritualizing  her  beauty, 
and  indicating  that  the  heart  of  the  woman  has  found 
rest  in  a  nature  formed  by  struggle  into  a  mould  stronger 
than  her  own,  and  capable  of  affording  the  guidance  and 
protection  she  desires  and  expects.  She  and  her  husband 
sit  together  in  the  calm,  joyous  consciousness  of  a  perfect 
sympathy.  Years  have  been  necessary  for  this  process. 
Its  consummation  constitutes  the  bliss,  the  strength,  the 
glory  of  the  married  state.  How  many  mistake  this  dis- 
cipline intended  to  harmonize  discordant  lives !  Fretted 
and  wretched,  they  seek  remedy  in  divorces  permitted  by 
human,  forbidden  by  Divine  Law.  Thus  families  are 
brought  to  shame  and  ruin ;  the  State  to  demoralization 
and  disgrace. 


CHAPTER  XXXVIIL 

MOUNTAIN   LIBERTY. 

"  Quick,  Jumbo,  quick !  call  your  mistress !"  said 
Arthur  Cleveland  as  he  stood  on  the  piazza  of  a  cottage 
situated  amid  the  mountains  of  Piedmont.  The  negro  in- 
stantly withdrew  his  black  visage,  and  entered  the  door. 
Mrs.  Cleveland  very  soon  was  at  the  side  of  her  husband. 
"  My  dear,"  he  exclaimed,  "  here  !  take  my  field  glass  ! 
You  can  now  see  the  city." 

"  How  glorious,"  cried  ihe  lady,  while  she  stood  gazing 
for  a  moment  with  the  instrument  in  her  hand.  "  See, 
Arthur,  that  gigantic  cloud  lifted  from  the  vale  into  the 
heavens !  It  seems  like  a  snow-mountain  in  air !  How 
white,  how  vast,  how  majestic  !" 

"  Now  Emily  direct  your  glass  to  the  old  city  no  longer 
concealed  by  the  morning  mists." 

Obeying  the  direction,  and  continuing  her  gaze  for 
some  moments,  she  cried,  "  Beautiful !  beautiful !  Most 
beautiful !  I  can  distinctly  see  in  the  sun  the  palaces,  and 
churches,  and  spires  of  Turin.  One  gigantic  cross  stands 
on  the  sky  like  flashing  fire." 

"  And  there,"  said  Cleveland,  pointing  to  a  huge  cliff 
towering  sublimely  behind  them,  "  you  can  behold  at  once 
two  of  nature's  grandest  objects  !  A  breath  only  seems  ne- 
cessary to  hurl  that  avalanche  thundering  into  the  gorge ! 
Yon  glacier  in  the  sun  gleams  and  glitters  like  a  gate  of 
Heaven." 

"  Oh,  Arthur,  how  grand  this  entire  scene  !"  exclaimed 
300 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  301 

Mrs.  Cleveland,  glowing  with  beauty  and  joy.  "  See  that 
valley  melting  away  into  the  blue  of  distant  Italy !  Mul- 
berry groves  !  Clumps  of  silver  chestnuts !  Fields  of 
gold  !  Climbing  vineyards  !  Alp  towering  over  Alp  !  The 
brilliance  of  valley  and  mountain  varied  by  passing  cloud- 
shadows  !" 

"Grand,  indeed,"  replied  Cleveland,  with  a  kindling  and 
kindred  enthusiasm.  "  This  air  is  an  inspiration  !  Every 
breath,  fire  and  freedom  !  How  boundless  seems  the  soul 
encircled  by  such  sublimity  !  These  mountains  are  God's 
emblems  of  His  Tranquility,  His  Eternity,  His  Omnipo- 
tence." 

These  sentiments  were  interrupted  by  a  certain  bell- 
tinkle,  humiliating  mortals,  by  a  not  unwelcome  reminder, 
that  they  have  bodies  as  well  as  souls.  We  are  compelled 
to  confess,  that  in  their  place  coffee,  omelettes  and  beef- 
steaks are  quite  as  necessary  as  clouds,  and  glaciers,  and 
avalanches.  After  a  substantial  breakfast,  Mr.  Cleveland 
said  to  his  wife,  "  Emily,  we  have  been  here  four  weeks, 
and  I  have  spent  ten  days  of  the  time  alone  in  exploring 
these  marvellous  mountains,  everywhere  interesting  with 
-their  associations.  Having  become  familiar  with  both 
scenes  and  histories,  I  propose  to  be  no  longer  solitary." 

"  Thank  you,  Arthur,  thank  you  !"  she  answered.  "  I 
will  instantly  make  preparations  for  an  exploration  in 
your  company." 

Mrs.  Cleveland  retired,  and  speedily  made  her  appear- 
ance in  a  dress  of  white,  fitting  beautifully  around  her 
elegant  person.  Her  mountain-hat  was  singularly  be- 
coming, and  it  is  not  wonderful,  that  the  eye  of  the  hus- 
band sparkled  as  it  rested  affectionately  on  the  form  and 
face  of  his  wife.  He  himself  appeared  greatly  invigorated 
by  pure  air  and  healthful  exercise.  His  clerical  habit  was 
26 


302  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

discarded,  and  lie  wore  the  attire  of  an  ordinary  gentleman, 
■which  he  found  in  a  trunk,  provided  by  the  thoughtful 
care  of  Judge  Ellingwood.  All  the  love  and  pride  of  the 
wife  appeared  in  the  countenance  of  Emily  Cleveland,  as 
she  gazed  on  the  splendid  figure  of  her  noble  husband. 
As  we  trace  them  up  a  steep,  winding  path,  followed  by 
Jumbo,  with  a  luncheon  basket,  we  will  confess  an  in- 
creased interest  in  their  destiny.  With  hearts  and  taste3 
united,  they  were  now  revelling  in  a  world  of  beauty,  and 
sublimity,  where  every  spot  was  hallowed  by  the  blood  of 
martyrs.  Pausing  a  moment  on  their  ascent,  Cleveland 
said:  "Emily,  let  me  point  out  two  venerable  objects.  See 
that  cliff  above!  A  Roman  soldier  hurled  from  its 
height  into  that  fearful  abyss  a  woman  and  her  child! 
Her  husband  was  to  follow  !  Rushing  from  his  guard  he 
clasped  the  executioner,  and  leaping,  they  fell  together 
into  the  dizzy  depth.  Now  behold  that  crag  far  beneath, 
from  which  grows  a  single  laurel !  The  spray  of  the  cata- 
ract just  touches  its'  edge !  Below  are  quivering  rainbows ! 
There  is  the  entrance  of  the  cave  where  three  hundred 
Vaudois  are  supposed  to  have  perished!  Down  yon 
valley  were  driven  the  shattered  forces  of  the  Count  of 
Trinity!" 

"  What  a  contrast,  Arthur,  between  your  Vatican  prison, 
and  these  free  mountains,"  cried  Mrs.  Cleveland,  raising 
her  eyes  to  Heaven  in  gratitude.  "  Yet  I  am  more  thank- 
ful for  the  emancipation  of  your  spirit  than  the  liberty  of 
your  body." 

"  Yes !  Emily,  eternity  will  not  suffice  to  express  our 
joy.  Papal  Infallibility  was  my  snare,  and  my  deliver- 
ance. Fortunately,  I  savr  that  it  was  the  Alpha  and  the 
Omega  of  the  Roman  System,  and  when  I  found,  after 
years  of  effort,  that  it  grew  into  a  palpable  absurdity,  I 


THE    AMERICAN    CARDINAL.  303 

was  virtually  free.  My  Bible,  my  Prayer-Book,  the  Prim- 
itive Fathers,  with  your  prayers,  and  old  Jumbo's  experi- 
ence, confirmed  me  in  my  ancestral  faith.  I  see  you  smile 
when  I  make  an  old  negro  a  link  in  the  chain  of  causes. 
But,  remember,  even  that  stone  beneath  your  foot  is  a 
mountain-step  towards  Heaven." 

"And  do  you  not  think  that,  both  in  England  and 
America,  many  are  similarly  misled  ?"  asked  Mrs.  Cleve- 
land. 

"  The  claim  of  Eome  to  authority,  imity  and  perpetuity, 
has  for  some  minds  a  resistless  fascination,"  he  replied. 

"The  phantom  of  union,  before  Reformation,  with  the 
Greek  and  Latin  Churches,  has  misled  multitudes,  by  weak- 
ening that  Protest  of  our  Catholicity  against  corruption, 
and  idolatry  and  usurpation,  which  must  be  lasting  as  the 
errors  it  opposes.  Still,  standing  on  our  Apostolic  Order 
as  an  historic  fact,  my  sympathies  are  intense  with  all 
Christians  who  agree  with  me  in  Faith.  If  Catholicity 
resembles  the  universal  air  which  gives  life  to  our  world, 
Protestantism  is  as  necessary  for  its  defence  as  once  were 
these  mountains  to  that  of  martyrs." 

While  Cleveland  uttered  these  words,  he  stood  on  a 
lofty  crag.  Above  him  was  a  towering  pine,  which  had 
for  ages  defied  the  thunderbolt.  Beneath  him  roared  a 
torrent  dashing  over  rocks.  He  seemed  inspired  by  the 
scene.  A  glow  was  diffused  over  his  countenance.  Light 
beamed  from  his  eye.  A  noble  dignity  appeared  in  hi3 
person.  Mrs.  Cleveland  gazed  on  him  as  if  he  were  a 
Prophet.  Resuming  their  journey,  he  said,  as  they  walked, 
"  Before  ten  years  the  Jesuits  will  call  a  Vatican  Council 
to  declare  Papal  Infallibility.  Everywhere  through  the 
Greek  and  Latin  Churches  I  have  found  illuminated  men 
anxious  for  Reform.     I  shall  seek  to  combine  these  heroic 


304  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

spirits  'with  noble  representative  Protestants,  and  accom- 
plish the  union  of  Christendom.  We  will  return  to  America, 
and,  in  our  own  home,  pass  our  declining  years." 

They  had  now  attained  the  altitude  of  the  mountain, 
and  about  them  was  a  sublimity,  we  will  not  attempt  to 
describe.  As  they  stood  together,  arm-in-arm,  enraptured 
by  the  scene,  Mrs.  Cleveland  turned  towards  her  hus- 
band eyes  tender  and  beautiful  with  love.  "  May  Heaven 
prosper  your  plans,  Arthur!"  she  exclaimed.  "How 
pleasing  such  a  consummation,  after  so  many  wanderings 
and  sufferings !" 

Here  Cleveland  caught  a  new  inspiration.  Before  him 
was  passing  the  future  of  the  nations,  and  his  soul  kindled 
with  the  grandeur  piled  everywhere  around. 

"  Further,  Emily,  further,"  he  broke  forth,  "  I  am  no 
longer  an  aristocrat.  Emancipated  from  class  I  sympa- 
thize with  humanity.  These  restless  European  national- 
ities are  struggling  towards  those  rights  embodied  in  our 
own  matchless  Declaration  and  Constitution.  Whatever 
its  form,  government  should  be  from  the  people,  and  by 
the  people,  and  for  the  people.  If  Primogenitures  or 
Establishments,  or  Aristocracies,  or  Thrones,  stand  in  the 
way,  let  them  be  scattered  like  the  clouds  from  yon  cliff, 
that  Humanity  may  brighten  with  eternal  liberty !"  Mrs. 
Cleveland  followed  the  direction  of  her  husband's  finger. 
The  dark  mists  were  rolling  from  the  summit  of  the 
mountain,  now  dazzling  in  the  sun.  "See  that  rock," 
continued  Cleveland,  pointing  aloft,  "Every  crag  is 
stained  with  sacred  blood.  Eome  has  made  these  hills  the 
monuments  of  martyrs.  What  a  sublime  Protestant  is 
yon  Balsille!  From  its  cliffs,  Henry  Arnaud  hurled 
death  on  his  foes.  What  a  victory  he  achieved  in  a  soli- 
tary fortress  of  nature !  Balanced  on  dizzy  precipices,  he 
26* 


THE    AMERICAS    CARDINAL.  305 

conquered  that  Glorious  Rsturn  "which  shall  live  in  all 
future  history."  As  Cleveland  spoke,  an  eagle  soared 
through  a  cloud  into  the  lofty  light.  Gazing  on  the  silent 
bird,  he  cried :  "  Behold  a  type  of  our  humanity,  emanci- 
pated from  all  social,  and  political,  and  religious  sla- 
veries ! " 

We  may  smile,  when  we  read  these  speeches,  delivered 
before  a  single  woman.  But  Emily  Cleveland,  to  a 
feminine  softness,  united  a  masculine  strength  of  intellect. 
She  comprehended  the  utterances  of  her  husband,  and  re- 
garded them  with  sensitive  sympathy,  and  passionate 
admiration.  Moreover,  after  a  painful  imprisonment,  he 
was  inspired  by  the  breath  of  liberty,  and  the  sublimity 
of  mountains.  Possibly  his  glow  was  kindled  by  a  beam 
from  heaven,  and  prophetic  of  his  future. 

After  the  excitements  of  such  scenes,  Mr.  and  Mr3. 
Cleveland  climbed  in  silence  down  the  cliffs.  Even  the 
rainbows  dancing  in  the  mists  of  a  tumbling  waterfall, 
excited  no  remark.  When  the  beauties  of  a  lower  region 
were  softening  in  the  evening,  they  still  walked  absorbed 
in  reflection.  Before  they  reached  the  piazza,  night  had 
drawn  around  her  curtains,  and  hung  out  her  stars. 
After  a  refreshing  supper  they  assembled  the  family  for 
the  usual  devotions,  when  they  were  startled  by  the  clatter 
of  hoofs  and  the  sound  of  wheels.  Speedily  a  large 
vehicle  dashed  before  the  piazza,  and  six  masked  men, 
armed  with  swords  and  pistols,  burst  into  the  room.  Mrs. 
Cleveland  screamed,  and  fell  fainting  into  the  arms  of  her 
husband.  Kegardless  of  her  situation,  and  his  entreaties, 
both,  with  Jumbo,  were  hurriedly  blind-folded,  and  thrust 
into  the  carriage.  The  air  and  the  motion  restored  Mrs. 
Cleveland,  and  she  sat  speechless  with  her  hand  in  that  of 
her  husband,  who,  bending  down  in  the  darkness,  silently 
kissed  his  wife,  with  an  infinite  melancholy  only  equaled 


306  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

by  her  own.  For  hours  they  were  whirled  down  hills, 
and  along  valleys,  and  over  bridges,  pausing  only  for 
relays  of  horses.  At  last,  they  felt  themselves  flying 
across  the  smooth  Campagna,  and  heard  the  rattle  of  their 
wheels  on  the  pavements  of  Kome.  Mrs.  Cleveland  was 
driven  to  the  palace  of  Judge  Ellin gwood,  and  there 
deposited.  The  carriage'  then  rushed  furiously  to  the 
Vatican.  In  a  few  minutes  Mr.  Cleveland  and  Jumbo, 
having  been  freed  from  their  bandages,  stood  together  in 
their  former  apartment,  and  heard  behind  them  the  clank 
of  an  added  bolt.  Bars  of  iron  also  had  been  placed  in 
their  windows. 


CHAPTER  XXXIX. 

LOVE  TRIUMPHANT  OVER  DEATH  AND  THE  POPE. 

The  contrast  between  Arthur  Cleveland  in  Piedmont 
and  Arthur  Cleveland  in  the  Vatican  can  be  easily  con- 
ceived. Amid  sublime  mountains,  and  beneath  the  grand 
heavens,  with  his  wife  at  his  side,  he  had  reached  the  per- 
fection and  dignity  of  his  manhood.  His  cup  overflowed 
with  sparkling  joys.  But  he  was  now  no  longer  on  the 
Alps.  The  Alps  were  rather  on  him.  His  chamber 
seemed  continually  contracting,  and  he  would  thrust 
about  his  hands  as  if  to  push  up  the  ceiling,  and  to  push 
out  its  walls.  The  atmosphere,  dead  and  heavy,  stifled  his 
lungs.  Yet,  Cleveland,  to  his  surprise,  experienced 
neither  anguish  nor  despair.  Nature  had  exhausted  her 
possibilities  of  spiritual  suffering.  His  soul,  having  at- 
tained its  ideal,  contemplated  trials  from  an  altitude,  as 
we  regard  storms  below  us  on  mountains.  He  saw  that 
confinement  was  his  doom,  and  he  accepted  as  a  child,  not 
as  a  slave,  the  mysterious  will  of  Heaven.  The  purpose  of 
his  destiny  was  accomplished.  He  had  no  thought  of 
escape.  Yet  the  very  vigor  of  his  spirit  had  consumed 
the  strength  of  his  body,  and  he  rapidly  sank  away.  His 
meekness  and  his  feebleness  touched  every  heart.  The 
Pope  treated  him  with  the  most  tender  consideration. 
Bishop  Frances  was  melted  into  sympathy.  The  Chief  of 
the  Jesuits  showed  every  possible  attention  to  the  dying 
man.  His  American  friends  were  forbidden  to  visit  him, 
but  Jumbo  was  kindly  allowed  to  nurse  his  master.  The 
faithful  fellow  was  indefatigable. 

307 


308  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

"  Massa," — as  he  now  delicately  styled  the  Cardinal, — 
he  one  day  began,  "  De  Laud  hab  quar  ways.  Fust  he'se 
make  you  happy  on  de  big  mountins,  free  like  de  soarin' 
eagul— den  he'se  shut  you  in  dis  Pope-prisin." 

"Since  he  has  confined  me  here,"  mildly  replied  Cleve- 
land, "  I  must  now  imitate  the  nightingale,  which  often 
pours  from  its  cage  its  sweetest  notes." 

"  And  didn't  you  say,  Massa,  dat  de  song  in  de  prare- 
book  cum  from  de  chilren  in  de  flames,  wha  dey  call  on 
de  clouds,  and  de  hills,  and  de  staums,  and  de  dews,  and 
de  wells,  and  de  whales,  and  de  fire,  and  de  snow,  and  de 
hail,  and  de  saints  and  de  angels,  and  eberyting  in  de  uni- 
yars,  to  prais  de  Laud  ?" 

"  Certainly,  those  strains  of  victory  burst  from  the  fire 
into  the  sky." 

"  And  in  dis  Pope-funas,  Massa,  we'se  lib  a  singin',  and 
a  shoutin',  and  a  '  joicin',  and  show  dese  Rome-fellers  dat 
de  Prot'stent  sperit  be  strong  as  dem  rocks  wha  dey  burn 
de  martas,  who  had  no  long  way  from  sich  mountins 
into  hebben." 

While  the  old  negro  was  discoursing  Cleveland  smiled 
amid  his  exhaustions,  and  the  hectic  of  his  cheek  was  suf- 
fused with  the  light  of  the  inner  glory. 

"  Did  you  know,  Ma?sa,"  resumed  Jumbo,  "  Missus 
pray  for  you  ?  She'se  look  like  de  angul  ob  peace  smilin' 
ober  de  chile  and  de  mudder  in  de  stable.  Once  I'se 
chance  into  her  room.  I  tot  her  dat  woman  in  de  picter 
lvin'  on  de  groun',  and  claspin'  de  feet  ob  de  Laud,  and 
'seechin'  for  her  dautta.  De  Pres'terian  Missus  ask  dis 
Mef'dist  nigga  pray,  and  de  blessin'  cum  down  like  de 
light  streamm'  from  de  big  white  cloud  ober  de  oshun  at 
Sea-Side." 

"  Thank  you,  Jumbo!     Thanks  to  my  Emily !    Thanks 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  309 

to  Heaven  for  such  assistances !"  exclaimed  Cleveland,  in  a 
faint,  tremulous  whisper. 

"  And  Massa,"  he  resumed,  "  may  dis  ole,  bald,  stam- 
merin'  nigga  tell  what  he'se  dream  ebery  night  for  tree 
nights." 

Cleveland  by  a  nod  of  his  head  signified  his  desire  10 
hear. 

"  Well !  allers  jist  as  de  big  clock  was  a  strikin  twelf, 
and  a  soundin'  like  de  trump  ob  de  Judg  ober  dis  city, 
Is'e  fall  into  doze,  twixt  a  wakin'  and  a  sleepin'.  Den 
Is'e  see  ober  Home  a  cloud  glitterin'  like  de  snow  on  de 
Alps.  In  de  middle  was  a  hole  a  lookin'  'trough  into  de 
blue  sky.  From  dat  cum  an  angul  big  as  de  dome  on  St. 
Peta's.  His  wings  white  as  de  swan  on  de  lake.  His 
face  bright  as  de  sun.  He  cum  a  floatin'  down  like  wun 
in  de  winda  ob  de  Sistin'  chapl.  Den  he'se  sail  a  smilin 
to  de  Vat'can,  and  he  tuk  Massa  in  his  aums,  and  fly  wid 
him  'trough  de  air,  and  de  cloud  scatta  way,  and  he'se 
pass  de  moon,  and  he'se  pass  de  sun,  and  he'se  pass  de 
staus,  and  de  gates  ob  pearl  opun,  and  he'se  carry  Massa 
to  de  foot  ob  de  Trone,  and  de  Laud  smile  like  de 
maunin'  light  a  breakin'  on  de  tops  ob  doze  Alps,  when 
de  fogs  roll  'way,  and  de  un'vars  git  bright.  Den  he'se 
cum  and  tuk  Missus.  Den  he'se  cum  and  tuk  Jumbo. 
We'se  all  tree  be  gwine'  to-  Hebben  soon.  We'se  be  gwine, 
Massa ;  we'se  be  gwine  !    Glory  to  de  Laud." 

The  Vatican  never  heard  a  nobler  strain  of  triumph 
than  burst  from  those  African  lips,  and  the  very  room 
seemed  filled  with  light  and  peace. 

Cleveland  continued  to  fail  gradually.  The  physician 
of  his  Holiness  advised  the  open  air ;  and  a  chair,  and  a 
carriage  were  always  at  the  disposal,  of  the  patient. 
Once  he  stopped  before  the  colonnade  of  St.  Peter's  and 


310  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

gazed  long  at  the  sublime  dome.  In  the  Sistine  Chapel 
he  lay  for  hours  absorbed  in  contemplating  the  grand 
figures  of  the  Last  Judgment.  He  loved  in  the  Yatican 
Gallery  to  linger  around  the  Laocoon,  and  the  Apollo, 
and  even  ventured  a  more  distant  visit  to  the  Dying 
Gladiator.  But  the  Transfiguration  of  Raphael  was  most 
in  harmony  with  his  soul,  next  to  the  simple  inscriptions, 
and  emblems  of  the  Lapidarian  Collections.  It  seemed 
as  if  he  wished  to  take  with  him  from  earth  to  heaven 
every  image  of  beauty,  and  of  glory. 

When  he  could  no  longer  leave  his  apartment  Jumbo 
carried  his  attenuated  form  from  his  bed  to  his  window 
tenderly  as  a  nurse  bears  a  dying  infant.  The  end  was 
approaching.  Angels  doubtless  were  hovering  over  the 
palace  to  convey  Cleveland  home.  That  day  arrived  re- 
corded for  his  death  in  the  Book  of  Eternity.  A  sub- 
duing influence  pervaded  every  room,  and  heart  in  the 
Yatican.  Partly  from  policy,  partly  from  sympathy,  and 
partly  from  curiosity,  the  Pope,  with  several  Bishops 
and  Cardinals  visited  the  chamber  of  the  expiring  man. 
While  the  imposing  group,  brilliant  in  their  gold,  and 
scarlet,  stand  around  his  bed  we  will  return  to  Mrs. 
Cleveland. 

When  that  lady  came  back  to  the  palace  of  Judge 
Ellingwood  she  received  in  silence  his  surprised  welcome, 
and  with  an  agony  of  tears  flung  herself  into  the  arms  of 
Mary.  The  transition  from  so  much  joy  to  so  much 
misery  made  her  inconsolable.  Soon,  however,  her  pas- 
sionate grief  was  succeeded  by  a  deep  tranquility.  Suf- 
fering had  evidently  exhausted  her  vital  energies.  Pale, 
sad,  speechless  she  moved  about  the  house  like  a  Bride  of 
Heaven. 

As  the  sun  was  pouring  his  last  glory  over  the  cross  on 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  311 

St.  Peter's,  she  was  observed  to  go  forth  alone  in  the  calm 
evening.  Every  beholder  was  impressed  with  her  coun- 
tenance and  mien.  She  united  the  meekness  of  the 
Roman  martyr,  and  the  dignity  of  the  Roman  matron. 
By  some  strange  instinct,  she  proceeded  to  the  door  of  the 
Vatican,  and  passed  unchallenged.  She  ascended  to  the 
apartment  of  Cleveland,  and  entered  with  a  preternatural 
majesty.  A  phantom  could  not  have  been  more  unwel- 
come or  alarming  than  a  woman  in  that  chamber.  There 
was  an  instant  impulse  to  arrest  her  progress.  She 
paused  with  the  look  of  an  angel.  Bishop,  and  Cardinal, 
and  Pope,  shrank  from  her  gaze.  Darting  towards  her 
dying  husband,  she  flung  herself  on  his  body.  He 
reached  forth  his  arms,  and  embraced  his  wife.  Long 
she  lay  on  his  bosom.  The  sanctity  of  love  in  the 
presence  of  death  could  not  be  violated.  There  was  a 
long  waiting  for  the  woman  to  arise.  Jumbo  wept, 
kneeling  at  her  side.  The  hush  of  the  chamber  became 
intense.  Moments  passed  like  hours.  Dignitaries,  before 
such  a  spectacle,  were  awed  into  impotence. 

Finally,  the  embarrassment  was  no  more  endurable. 
Bishop  Frances  approached  the  bed.  He  lifted  the 
woman's  arm.  It  fell  back  cold  on  the  bosom  which  had 
long  been  its  pillow.  He  placed  his  hand  on  the  forehead 
of  her  husband.  It  was  ice.  Arthur  and  Emily  Cleve- 
land had  expired  together  in  the  embrace  of  connubial 
love.  Heaven  laughed  at  the  earthly  Pontiff  who  dared 
dissolve  a  marriage  ordained  by  the  Eternal  God. 


CHAPTER   XL. 


AN    EVENING    SCENE. 


Judge  Ellingwood  and  Mary  waited  hour  after  hour 
for  the  return  of  Mrs.  Cleveland.  Their  alarm  and  sus- 
pense became  painful.  Messengers  had  been  dispatched 
in  all  directions.  Ko  intelligence  was  obtained,  and  the 
search  was  abandoned  for  the  night.  While  the  father 
and  the  daughter  sat  watching  in  the  study,  Jumbo  was 
announced,  and  bidden  to  enter.  He  staggered  into  the 
apartment.  His  black  cheeks  were  sunken.  His  bald, 
shining  head  was  bowed  between  his  shoulders.  Yet  he 
brought  with  his  presence  a  species  of  sanctity.  Judge 
Ellingwood  perceiving  his  exhaustion  seated  him  in  a 
chair. 

"  Oh,"  he  exclaimed,  clasping  his  great  hands  and  roll- 
ing up  his  old  eyes,  "  Massa  Judge,  Missus  Mary,  me  hab 
cum  from  Hebben,  from  Hebben,  jist  right  from  Hebben." 

"Explain  yourself,  Jumbo,"  said  Judge  Ellingwood, 
"  that  is  a  long  way  with  a  narrow  road." 

He  replied,  "  De  angel,  dis  evenin'  wid  de  set  ob  de  sun, 
cum  for  Massa  Cleveland.  De  Bishop,  and  de  Ca'dnals, 
and  de  Pope  stan'  roun'  in  dere  red  and  dere  yaller,  and 
den  Missus  wauk  into  de  room  like  de  queen  ob  dis  wuld. 
Dey  dar  not  stop  her.  She  had  a  look  dat  make  de  Pope 
nobuddy.  Dey  all  stan'  'side,  and  shes'e  trow  herself  on 
Massa,  and  he'se  put  his  arms  'bout  her,  and  dey  stay  dat 
way  long,  long,  long  time  'till  wes'e  hear  de  Pope's  heart 
a  thumpin',  and  den  a  Bishop  raise  her  arm.  It  fall  back 
312 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  813 

cold.  He  touch  Massa's  for'ed.  Bofe  dead,  dead,  dead,  and 
dey  all  star  and  look  quar,  and  go  out  wid  dere  heads 
down,  and  I'se  war  lef '  lone  wid  Massa  and  Missus,  and 
Hebben  cum  down  to  dat  room,  Hebben,  Hebben !  "  and 
the  poor  fellow  wept,  and  shook  the  very  floor  with  his 
agitation. 

Before  the  Judge  could  reply,  there  was  a  startling 
rin2f,  and  as  the  hoUr  was  late,  he  answered  the  bell.  He 
found  before  his  door  an  immense  carriage.  Soon  six 
sturdy  men  brought  within  the  body  of  Mrs.  Cleveland, 
which  was  gently  laid  on  the  sofa.  Mary  Ellingwood 
kissed,  with  tears,  the  cold  brow,  and  the  Judge  wept  in 
silence,  while  Jumbo  renewed  his  grief.  Perhaps  no  cir- 
cumstance could  have  been  more  embarrassing  to  the 
Pope  and  his  College  than  the  corpse  of  a  Cardinal's  wife 
in  the  Vatican.  There,  however,  was  the  humiliating  fact. 
Nothing  remained  but  to  send  the  body  to  the  house  of 
Judge  Ellingwood,  now  occupied  by  the  American  Minis- 
ter. He  was  immediately  called  for  consultation,  and  the 
funeral  was  arranged  for  the  next  evening. 

During  the  excitement  of  the  last  hour,  Jumbo  had  been 
overlooked.  The  Judge  now  happened  to  turn  towards 
the  chair  where  he  had  himself  seated  the  venerable  negro. 
His  head  hung  drooping  on  his  bosom.  His  limbs  were 
relaxed.  His  body  had  fallen  to  one  side,  and  was  sup- 
ported by  an  arm  of  the  chair.  The  Judge  lifting  up  his 
face  saw  there  the  peace  of  death.  His  strength  had  been 
expended  in  nursing  his.  master.  His  work  was  over.  The 
angel  had  come  through  the  cloud  to  bear  him  up  into  the 
"hebbenly"  light. 

On  the  next  day  a  quiet  funeral  procession  wound 
through  the  Protestant  Cemetery  just  without  Rome.  The 
Cestian  pyramid  lifted  itself  in  silent  grandeur.  The 
27 


314  THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL. 

daily  circle  of  the  cypress-shadows  had  been  traced  over 
those  graves  of  strangers.  Slanting  sun-bearas  gilded  the 
tombs  and  lay  upon  the  grass.  Birds  warbled  on  the 
branches.  Between  the  tree-tops  was  seen  the  blue  sky, 
with  its  Italian  glory.  Soft  breezes  swayed  the  limbs. 
Violets  and  daisies  mingled  their  hues,  and  the  stately 
rose  lifted  its  blushing  beauty. 

The  stillness  is  now  broken  by  the  tread  of  horses,  and 
the  noise  of  wheels.     A  procession  stops  before  a  fresh 
grave  on  a  secluded  slope.     A  coffin  is  lifted  from  the 
hearse.     Judge   Ellingwood,  with  Mary  on  his  arm,  fol- 
lowed by  Mr.  Fortescue,  Mr.  Percivale,  and  a  few  friends, 
now  gathered  round.     The  service  was  said  by  the  Amer- 
ican Chaplain.     While  the  benediction  was  pronouncing 
over  the  grave  of  Mrs.  Cleveland,  another  hearse  halted 
at  the  gate  of  the  Cemetery,  whither  the  company  pro- 
ceeded on  foot,  and  then  reverently  followed  the  body  of 
Jumbo,  and  with  the  same  ceremony,  gave  it  to  the  earth. 
Arthur  Cleveland  was  laid  in  state  in  a  magnificent 
apartment  of  the  Vatican.     Perhaps  to  counteract  the  re- 
port of  his  apostacy  his  funeral  was  celebrated  with  un- 
usual pomp.     A  massive  coffin,  richly  ornamented,  con- 
tained the  body,  attired  in  the  scarlet  of  a  Cardinal.     On 
the  breast  flashed  a  diamond  crucifix.     Over  all  was  a 
red  coverlet  brocaded  with  gold.     When  the  night  of  in- 
terment arrived  the  corpse  was  transferred  to  a  gorgeous 
catafalque,  and  conveyed  in  a  hearse  plumed  and  draped 
with  black.     The  liveries  were  dazzling.     Grenadiers  pre- 
ceded with  arms  glittering  in  the  bright  torches.     Kobles, 
Princes,  Bishops,  Cardinals,  in  splendid  carriages,  followed 
amid  the  dismal  chants  of  the  Frati.    Before  a  venerable 
Church   the  procession    stopped.      The    catafalque  wa3 
placed  beneath  a  blazing  altar.    Mass  was  said  after  a 


THE  AMERICAN  CARDINAL.  zib 

magnificent  ceremonial.  The  body  was  solemnly  deposited 
under  the  aisle,  and  on  the  Roman  stone  was  traced  the 
name  of  a  Protestant  Cardinal. 


Above  the  spot  some  years  after  stood  a  group  of  stran- 
gers. Edward  and  Anna  Ellingwood  in  mourning  for 
their  father  and  uncle,  are  accompanied  by  Mary,  also  in 
black,  who  is  leading  her  beautiful  little  nephew  and 
niece.  They  were  soon  joined  by  Albert  and  Ada  Elton. 
Jim  may  be  discerned  at  the  door  of  the  Church.  As  the 
party  gaze  on  the  tablet,  the  colored  light  streaming 
through  a  painted  window  illuminates  the  inscription. 
Leaving  the  place  they  proceed  to  the  Protestant  Ceme- 
tery. Now  we  see  them  gathering  around  a  graceful 
shaft  of  white  marble,  on  which  they  read 

TO  EMILY  CLEVELAND  AND  ANOTHER. 

IN   LIFE,   DIVIDED:     IX   DEATH,   UNITED: 
IN  HEAVEN,  ONE. 

Flowers  were  scattered  over  the  grave,  and  on  it  was 
planted  a  rose.  The  company  then  wound  their  way  to  a 
modest  monument  of  Sienna  marble  bearing  the  inscrip- 
tion : 

TO  JUMBO, 

THE    FAITHFUL. 


RARE  BOOK 
COLLECTION 


THE  LIBRARY  OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF 

NORTH  CAROLINA 

AT 

CHAPEL  HILL 

Wilmer 
58 


mWMMMHHMNIMIMMMMi 


IMBaMMMWtMMlnaiHl 


